Contrary to modern "akadama-only" trends, Naka was pragmatic. He offered soil mixes based on what was available locally (sand, peat, grit). He included a lunar chart (controversial even then) but focused on the biological necessity of root pruning.
From formal upright ( Chokkan ) to raft ( Ikadabuki ) to literati ( Bunjingi ), Naka dedicates a full chapter to each style, including hand-drawn sketches of how a seedling transforms into that shape over ten years. John Naka Bonsai Techniques 1 Pdf
Naka starts with the spirit. He doesn't just teach how to wire; he teaches why we wire. He explains the aesthetic principles of "Heaven, Earth, and Man" and the rules of triangular form. Contrary to modern "akadama-only" trends, Naka was pragmatic