Part I of the exhibition continued for four days, Sunday through Wednesday. On Thursday and Friday all the bonsai on display will be removed and replaced with fresh trees. That’s a monumental task, especially since all the bonsai are quite large and heavy, usually requiring two, three or four people to lift the largest bonsai. The flatbed rolling carts are limited in number so that makes the time longer for moving. Fortunately, all the large size bonsai are on the first floor. The smaller trees require using elevators which also takes time.

2026 Part I Exhibition Statics\

181 display areas

287 individual bonsai–

Counting the individual medium and shohin specimens

159 Large Bonsai

39 Medium Size Bonsai Compositions– 78 Specimens

10 Shohin Bonsai Compositions­–50 Specimens

11 Important Bonsai Masterpieces–

Hawthorn displayed in Part I by Frank Jesse from Germany on right

There are a great number of bonsai which have been cultivated and loved for several generations by many people which have been elevated to the level of art, making them valuable cultural assets. The Nippon Bonsai Association examines bonsai which art artistically shaped with the understanding excellence, having horticultural values in terms of their species, shapes and have historical value in terms of Provence and history. With the understanding of their owners every method possible for preservation of future generations. To date there have been approximately 2,000 bonsai registered.

Hawthorn displayed in Part I by Frank Jesse from Germany. Flowering image courtesy of Sara Camacho from Team Suzuki.

11 Kokufu Awards–

The following images are Kokufu Winners

The greatest number of awards ever presented. Perhaps because of the exceptional fine-quality bonsai displayed this year commemorating the 100^th exhibition. This coveted award is selected by a committee after a careful and comprehensive examination of all the bonsai are placed. It is presented to bonsai of particularly outstanding beauty, considering the species, container quality and appropriate to the tree, display table, training techniques, accessory and presentation to the viewers.

25 Foreign Exhibitors­–

Representing approximately 20 different countries. These are bonsai which have been trained and refined in Japan and purchased by foreigners waiting to be imported to the owner’s countries.

Approximately 20%– of the displayed bonsai are owned by foreigners.

Masahiko Kimura’s Artistry– was represented by over 40 bonsai owned by clients.

Kunio Kobayashi’s Artistry– represented by approximately 24 clients.

Shinji Suzuki’s Artistry– represented by approximately 20 clients.

Opening Day Attendance– 2,500 visitors (over 70% foreigners.)

A Few Observations– Most common species were Japanese black and five-needle pines. Closely followed by Sargent’s juniper and Japanese flowering apricot and Japanese maple and Trident maple. Several rock plantings, both clinging-to-a-rock and root-over rock. Only two Ezo spruce. Normally the number of species are split between Part I and Part II.

There were a tremendous number of old famous masterpieces, making Part I the best representation of Japanese bonsai.

I wonder what Part II will bring along with the opening of the 63^rd Masterpiece Suiseki Exhibition held on the 4^th floor of the same building.

100^th Kofu-Fu Bonsai Exhibition- Part I, 2026– Part 2

Part I of the exhibition continued for four days, Sunday through Wednesday. On Thursday and Friday all the bonsai on display will be removed and replaced with fresh trees. That’s a monumental task, especially since all the bonsai are quite large and heavy, usually requiring two, three or four people to lift the largest bonsai. The flatbed rolling carts are limited in number so that makes the time longer for moving. Fortunately, all the large size bonsai are on the first floor. The smaller trees require using elevators which also takes time.

2026 Part I Exhibition Statics

181 display areas

287 individual bonsai–

Counting the individual medium and shohin specimens

159 Large Bonsai

39 Medium Size Bonsai Compositions– 78 Specimens

10 Shohin Bonsai Compositions­–50 Specimens

11 Important Bonsai Masterpieces–

There are a great number of bonsai which have been cultivated and loved for several generations by many people which have been elevated to the level of art, making them valuable cultural assets. The Nippon Bonsai Association examines bonsai which art artistically shaped with the understanding excellence, having horticultural values in terms of their species, shapes and have historical value in terms of Provence and history. With the understanding of their owners every method possible for preservation of future generations. To date there have been approximately 2,000 bonsai registered.

11 Kokufu Awards–

The greatest number of awards ever presented. Perhaps because of the exceptional fine-quality bonsai displayed this year commemorating the 100^th exhibition. This coveted award is selected by a committee after a careful and comprehensive examination of all the bonsai are placed. It is presented to bonsai of particularly outstanding beauty, considering the species, container quality and appropriate to the tree, display table, training techniques, accessory and presentation to the viewers.

Frank Jesse from Germany displayed his Hawthorn in Part I. Flowering Image courtesy of Sara Camacho of Team Suzuki.

25 Foreign Exhibitors­–

Representing approximately 20 different countries. These are bonsai which have been trained and refined in Japan and purchased by foreigners waiting to be imported to the owner’s countries.

Approximately 20%– of the displayed bonsai are owned by foreigners.

Masahiko Kimura’s Artistry– was represented by over 40 bonsai owned by clients.

Kunio Kobayashi’s Artistry– represented by approximately 24 clients.

Shinji Suzuki’s Artistry– represented by approximately 20 clients.

Opening Day Attendance– 2,500 visitors (over 70% foreigners.)

A Few Observations– Most common species were Japanese black and five-needle pines. Closely followed by Sargent’s juniper and Japanese flowering apricot and Japanese maple and Trident maple. Several rock plantings, both clinging-to-a-rock and root-over rock. Only two Ezo spruce. Normally the number of species are split between Part I and Part II.

There were a tremendous number of old famous masterpieces, making Part I the best representation of Japanese bonsai.

I wonder what Part II will bring along with the opening of the 63^rd Masterpiece Suiseki Exhibition held on the 4^th floor of the same building.