The 99th Kokufu Bonsai Exhibition is being held at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum in Ueno Park, Tokyo, Japan. It is considered to be the world’s finest bonsai exhibition. Part1 is being held on February 8-11, 2025, while Part 2 runs from February 13-16, 2025. On Wednesday, February 12 the exhibition is closed to the public while every bonsai is replaced with fresh trees, it is actually another new exhibition.
This is the 99th exhibition, next year will highlight the 100th exhibition. The first exhibition was held in March 1934 (91 years ago, not 100 years) twice each year in late winter and autumn. The exhibition held this twice yearly schedule from 1934 to 1944, then cancelled during the war. It began again in 1947 until present. Most were yearly, but there was one exhibition held in two a few years later. It has been held yearly in February until 1988 when the exhibition was held in two parts. There was only one part in 2022 (covid?) When the museum was resigned, to make it handicap accessible fewer trees could be displayed. Now the exhibition is held in two parts so more bonsai can be displayed.
Part 2 of the longest running bonsai exhibition will be held on February 13-136, the same time as the Nippon Suiseki Exhibition, also in the same building on the fourth floor.
A Few Personal Observations on Part 1:
The backgrounds and lighting were improved a few years ago and continues to highlight each bonsai. A couple of years ago the restriction of photos was eliminated. Probably the extensive use of small mobile phones with cameras had an influence.
This year it seemed as though there was a larger number of junipers and pines compared with deciduous species. Like in past exhibitions there were fewer rock plantings and forests but more literati style bonsai displayed. The Japanese flowering apricot bonsai were well represented, and in blossom too. There was a good representation of Zuisho Japanese five-needle pine bonsai.
Five Kokufu Prizes were awarded to outstanding bonsai and I believe only the second time a shohin bonsai composition received one of these prestigious awards. Masterpieces shown.There were 13 Important Bonsai As always all the bonsai were beautiful and simply displayed to allow their beauty to shine.
