Valavanis Bonsai Blog Part 1 February 8-11, 2020 Part 2 February 13-16, 2020 The Kokufu Bonsai Exhibition is the finest and longest running formal bonsai exhibition in the word. The All Japan Bonsai Exhibition was held in Hibiya Park, Tokyo, Japan, from 1914-1933. Bonsai pioneer Norio Kobayashi (author, Editor and Publisher of Bonsai Magazine,) and Count Yoriyaga Matsudaira (shohin bonsai enthusiast, first President of the … Continue reading 2020 94TH Kokufu Bonsai Exhibition– Part 1

Valavanis Bonsai Blog A few more photos from Part 1 of the 2020 94TH Kokufu Bonsai Exhibition: Green Island Fig Sekka Hinoki Cypress Trident Maple displayed by Mark Cooper from England All the front dead branches were “added” onto an unblemished trunk to add interest… Chojubai Japanese Flowering Quince Although the small orange red flowers and dark green foliage are attractive the MAIN reason this … Continue reading 2020 94TH Kokufu Bonsai Exhibition– Part 2

Valavanis Bonsai Blog Our small group, in a private van, first visited Seiji Morimae’s S-Cube Bonsai Garden Uchiku-tei in Hanyu, Japan. As always, Mr. Morimae was extremely busy with his large sales area in the Ueno Green Club and preparing for the Nippon Suiseki Exhibition. He showed me over 50 beautiful tables selected for display with the stones, including one of my prize suiseki for … Continue reading A Visit To S-Cube, Masahiko Kimura, Mansei-en and Fuyo-en Bonsai Gardens

Valavanis Bonsai Blog Shunka-en Bonsai Museum in the Edogawa Ward of Tokyo is owned by award winning bonsai artist Kunio Kobayashi who is well known around the world. Visits to his museum are always one of my highlights to Japan. There is always something new to see. I was here a few weeks ago, and new bonsai have suddenly appeared, many large size Japanese black … Continue reading A Visit To Shunka-en Bonsai Museum

Valavanis Bonsai Blog Part 2 of the 2020 94th Kokufu Bonsai Exhibition opened this morning at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum. For the first several hours it seemed as though there were more foreigners than Japanese visitors. A great number of Americans, Italians, German, French, Australians and more were among the first to appreciate some of the finest quality bonsai in Japan. The crowd quickly … Continue reading 2020 94th Kokufu Bonsai Exhibition Part 3

Valavanis Bonsai Blog Taisho-en Bonsai Garden is operated by Nobuichi Urushibata and his son Taiga. It is located in Shizuoka, Japan, near Mt. Fuji. Breathtaking views can be seen from streets and also at the train station where I took this photo through a window. Dwarf Stewartia! Japanese Maple $2,400 Crepe Myrtle Nobuichi Urushibata is one of the top shohin bonsai artists in Japan who … Continue reading A Visit To Taisho-en Bonsai Garden

Valavanis Bonsai Blog Additional interesting photos from Part 2 of the 2020 94th Kokufu Bonsai Exhibition and a few from Part 1 too. Enjoy and learn, I did. Displayed front Another view Chojubai Flowering Quince from the Green Club sales area $700. DIY? Developed Chojubai Flowering Quince ready to display $4,000. Great old appearing bark on Chojubai Flowering Quince. Silverberry Mini Bonsai 2020 An old … Continue reading 2020 94th Kokufu Bonsai Exhibition Part 4

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