100th Kofu-Fu Bonsai Exhibition- Part II, 2026– Part 1

Written by: Published in: Rss Feeds On: 17 February 2026 Read: 329 times
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An aerial view of a botanical exhibition featuring various bonsai trees arranged on tables, with visitors exploring the displays in a spacious indoor setting.
A crowded bonsai exhibition showcasing a variety of bonsai trees, with visitors observing the displays in a well-lit indoor setting.

Part II of the exhibition on Saturday. I have never seen such a crowd in the 40 years I’ve attended. It looked that there were even more foreign visitors than Part I. There were no Stewartia displayed. Lots of cascade styled trees.

A vibrant bonsai tree with lush green leaves and numerous pink camellia flowers, displayed in a decorative pot on a wooden surface.
A bonsai tree with a twisted trunk and lush green foliage, displayed in a brown pot with moss on the soil.
A detailed view of a bonsai tree with lush green needles and a textured bark, displayed in a traditional pot on a wooden surface.
A detailed image of a bonsai pine tree in a decorative pot, showcasing lush green foliage and a textured trunk, placed on a wooden surface with a plain background.

In the past, both parts of this exhibition has had magnificent bonsai, often the bonsai in Part II seemed to be better. NOT this year the NBS went all to get superb trees for both part I and Part II. I asked a skilled professional bonsai dealer and a leader of the Japanese bonsai community and he said both parts were equal AND there were too many visitors. Usually in the morning the crowds are heavy, then lessen. Not this year. Many friends went early to photograph and they did not even try. The room was packed and made it difficult to even move. In the late afternoon the crowds are less. 

A beautifully styled bonsai tree with a thick trunk and lush, green foliage, displayed in a rectangular pot.

2026 Part I Exhibition Statistics

181 display areas

253 individual bonsai–

Counting the individual medium and shohin specimens

131 Large Bonsai

36 Medium Size Bonsai Compositions– 76 Specimens

10 Shohin Bonsai Compositions­–50 Specimens

28 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 history. The judging is usually done in autumn.

A detailed view of a bonsai tree with intricate, gnarled branches and small buds, displayed on a wooden table with a moss-covered base.
A bonsai tree with vibrant pink flowers and lush green leaves, displayed in a ceramic pot.

10 Kokufu Awards–

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. This year a small black plaque was displayed for these important bonsai

A black and white image of a bonsai tree with a thick trunk and dense foliage, displayed in a shallow ceramic pot.
A beautifully shaped bonsai tree with lush green foliage, displayed in a round pot atop a wooden stand.
A detailed bonsai tree with intricate, bare branches displayed in a green ceramic pot, resting on a wooden surface against a neutral background.

12 Foreign Exhibitors­–

A beautifully shaped bonsai tree with lush green foliage and a textured, twisting trunk, presented in a simple, dark pot.
A detailed bonsai tree with intricate, bare branches, displayed in a ceramic pot with green accents, on a wooden stand.
A bonsai tree with intricate branches is displayed in a simple brown pot on a wooden stand, accompanied by a small patch of grass on a blue tablecloth.
A beautifully shaped bonsai tree with lush green needles, positioned in a brown ceramic pot, showcasing intricate roots and a textured base.

Representing approximately 10 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.

The 63rd Japanese Suiseki 

Heled on the 4th floor of the museum, but this distinguished will be covered  in a future blog post

A bonsai tree with a slender trunk and green foliage, displayed in a ceramic pot with moss, against a white backdrop.
A decorative bonsai tree with delicate white flowers, set on a moss-covered base and displayed on a wooden stand.

These two bonsai were displayed next to each other.

A person observing two bonsai trees displayed on a table with a dark blue cloth. The left tree features delicate white flowers and intricate branches, while the right tree has a fuller green canopy. Several display items are visible on the table.

I wonder what he is thinking.

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