The Bonsai Society of Upstate New York is based in Rochester, but we have dedicated active members who travel long distances, several hours to regularly attend our meetings, workshops and activities. We have members from Syracuse, Buffalo, Ithaca, Elmira, Cortland, Penn Yan, and even in Hector in New York state but also have members from Erie, PA and North Carolina. Our suiseki exhibition is being held on October 10-11, 2026, at the International Bonsai Arboretum in Rochester, New York.

Our society recently celebrated our 50^th anniversary with about 125 members, and about 45 attend each meeting. Before we start our educational monthly programs, we begin with about a one-hour study group on shohin bonsai, suiseki, display and other interesting topics our members are interested in. Our Suiseki Study Group sets up an exhibition on the years the U.S. Bonsai Exhibition, (celebrating the 10^thanniversary next September) is not being held. It is mostly our members who also set up the U.S. National Bonsai Exhibitions, which is quite a bit of hard work for our “ageing” members, me included.

The Upstate New York Suiseki Exhibitions are held during the years International Bonsai Arboretum has its Autumn Open House & Sale. In the past the suiseki exhibition was held in the small-heated greenhouse. However for our 10^th anniversary we set up in “the Annex” which is much larger and has 20 LED four-foot fixtures. It is so bright that surgeries could be conducted, well bonsai creation operations often take place there.

This year for our 10^th anniversary in addition to about 75 suiseki formally displayed with perfectly matched display tables we have added two new features. The first new addition are six formally displayed bonsai with appropriate suiseki so members and visitors can see how we use suiseki with bonsai.

The next addition is a small display of “Biseki” beautiful stones, which are not actually suiseki but often included in exhibits. This year we have a small, but very heavy meteorite, a large solid piece of copper from Michigan, Ginkgo fossil (I accidently dropped it and broke, but my assistant who also specializes in repairing broken bonsai containers quickly repaired the million-year-old fossil and finally a piece of Fool’s Gold (pyrite) in a new ceramic water basin created by April Grimsby which has a gold colored rim and beautiful green and blue glazed interior. It is so beautiful, our member decided to highlight the colorful water basin with only using water. By the way the same member also has a solid piece of actual GOLD about fist-size but would not display it without an armored guard as it is valued more than many homes. Each of the biseki are also formally displayed in water basins because the shapes are like suiseki.

This year, in the new annex, most of our suiseki study group members helped set up this special anniversary exhibition and will also come on Monday to help with the take down. On Sunday at 1pm noted suiseki authority Sean Smith (from his Three Mountain Bonsai School in Pennsylvania) will conduct a free critique of our rocks and displays. He has exquisite fine-taste and has been studying the art of display (both for suiseki, bonsai and other art,) for decades and will share his thoughts.

Our first visitor at 9am on Saturday came from Milwaukee, Wisconsin and was surprised to see such a fine suiseki exhibition in addition to the Open House & Sales featuring the masterworks of Wm. N. Valavanis. The deciduous species are just beginning to change color and show bright fruit. An excellent Spindle tree was showcased in an alcove in the bonsai studio. The fruit are now ripe, and this bonsai will also be displayed next weekend at the Hidden Lake Gardens in Tipton, Michigan where the Fall Fruit & Foliage Bonsai Exhibition will be held. Here is the link: https://ipf.msu.edu/hidden-lake-gardens/fall-exhibition.  I hope to welcome you to this inaugural event.

My bonsai garden is ready to welcome visitors to the Open House & Sale, where many of my larger-size bonsai are for sale. If you can’t visit us this weekend, our autumn colors are just beginning and usually peak in late-October or early-November. Please make an appointment to see this colorful display of developed classical bonsai in a garden setting. Wishing everyone a colorful autumn season and warm snowless winter.

The 2026 Michiana (Michigan & Indiana) Bonsai Show was sponsored by the Michiana Bonsai Study on September 19 & 20, 2026 at the Wellfield Botanic Gardens in Elkhart, Indiana. The garden has just added many new features, 20 gardens and a large woodland pavilion in addition to a modern visitors center on their 36 acre botanical garden and a working source of hydropower and drinking water.

The new visitors center was a perfect location to hold the show. Due to the rain, most of the event was held indoors next to a large wooden pavilion where many vendors survived the rain under the covered roof. Professional bonsai artists Mark Fields, Jennifer Price and William Valavanis led and conducted critiques, workshops, judging and demonstrations in addition exhibition a few trees from their personal bonsai collections which were for exhibit only.

The Michiana Bonsai Study members hosted the event and were very helpful welcoming the public, answering the usual questions from visitors and even provided a delicious luncheon feast for their member and staff and guest bonsai artists.

There were a large variety of different species in all stages of training from beginners to advanced skilled members. In addition to the cold-hardy collected Larch and Eastern white cedars there were tropical species like Ficus and a flowering Bougainvillea. Each of the displays featured a main bonsai and an accessory which helped viewers have a complete view of idealized nature. About a dozen vendors brought everything needed to create, maintain and appreciate bonsai art display, including stunning hanging scrolls. They offered young seedlings, pre-bonsai, bonsai and masterpiece gems for sale.

I thoroughly enjoyed participating in this show, was made welcome by their members and look forward to their 2028 show. It was a beautiful, well-organized event for bonsai hobbyists as well as the public.

This new inaugural bonsai festival includes a 34 tree week long exhibition beginning June 24-29, 2026 in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. Each of the six participating bonsai societies in the tristate regional area displayed a juried exhibition of some of their member’s bonsai. A few photos of the exhibition follow:

On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, June 26-28 a vendor area will be open with 20 vendors. Also included during the weekend is a full program of bonsai demonstrations.

On Saturday evening there will be a live auction of 30 fine bonsai from the Longwood Gardens Collection, the Kennett Collection and 12 bonsai from the Valavanis Bonsai Collections. Additionally, there will bonsai from bonsai nurseries and individual society members.

Don’t miss a rare opportunity to see some beautiful bonsai, learn during the demonstrations and have the opportuning of winning a bonsai, or two at the auction. And finally walking around this world class 1,000 acer botanical wonderland and conservatories.

Additional information:

longwoodgardens.org/events-performances/events/bonsai-festival

and my blog:

valavanisbonsaiblog.com

Join us for a special week at Longwood Gardens, one of our country’s premier horticultural destinations, as it celebrates the beauty of bonsai with the inaugural Longwood Gardens Bonsai Festival from June 24-29, 2025, in Kennet Square, Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia. A week-long exhibition of some of their world-class bonsai plus bonsai from The Kennett Collection and juried bonsai from members of the tri-state bonsai organizations: Bonsai Society of the Lehigh Valley, Brandywine Bonsai Society, Deep Cut bonsai Society, Great Swamp Bonsai Society, New Jersey Bonsai Societies, Pennsylvania Bonsai Society and the Susquehanna Bonsai Club will be formally displayed.

Demonstrations & Lectures

For those looking to deepen their understanding of the art, the Longwood Gardens Bonsai Festival transforms into a hub of education and inspiration from Friday through Sunday. A powerhouse lineup of internationally acclaimed professional bonsai artists will host engaging demonstrations and lectures, sharing their insights on styling, wiring, and the philosophy behind the art. Attendees will have the rare opportunity to learn directly from industry icons, including: Sergio Cuan, Owen Reich, Sean Smith, William N. Valavanis, Jim Doyle, Bob Mahler, & Chase Rosade.

Vendor Showcase

The curated marketplace will include 20 vendors who will be offering, starter trees, tools, handmade bonsai containers, as well as developed bonsai and supplies to elevate or begin your journey to bonsai.

Live Auction of Outstanding Bonsai

The crown jewel of the six-day festival takes place on Saturday evening with a special, curated live auction. This is a truly unmissable event for collectors, featuring significant, specimen trees sourced from the finest collections on the East Coast—including The Kennett Collection, the permanent collection of Longwood Gardens, and the persona lcollection of legendary artist Wm. N. Valavanis.

Plan Your Visit

Whether you come for the high-stakes thrill of the Saturday night auction, the educational weekend lectures, or simply a quiet weekday stroll through the stunning conservatorydisplays, the Longwood Gardens Bonsai Festival is the ultimate celebration of harmony between humanity and nature. Mark your calendars for June 24–29, 2025 and prepare to see nature through a beautifully focused lens. 

Additional information and schedule:

longwoodgardens.org/events-performances/events/bonsai-festival

A few photos of a few of the 12 bonsai from my personal collection which will be auctioned on Saturday evening are included here and in my blog: 

valavanisbonsaiblog.com

https://valavanisbonsaiblog.com

This annual show was held on May 9-10, 2026 at the Frederick Meijur Gardens & Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan. As a world-class sculpture park and gardens, this beautiful park features art and horticulture events year-around. This weekend the bonsai public was also treated to the Chihuly Exhibits both indoors and throughout the park. Dale Chihuly is a renowned American artist who revolutionized studio glass, moving it from functional craft into large-scale, vibrant, abstract installations well known internationally.

There are many bonsai organizations throughout the state and they all work together combining their talents to host the bonsai show featuring their beautiful bonsai for the public to enjoy and appreciate. There were several demonstrations each day in addition to workshops where the public and bonsai community could work on their bonsai skills to improve and create new bonsai for their personal collections. Over one dozen vendors brought their best ware for sale, which the bonsai community and public found valuable. 

The park also has an impressive bonsai collection and garden which is well maintained. A large-size Japanese yew bonsai masterpiece welcomed visitors to the show with a huge, well balanced trunk featuring dead wood. The tree was originally about 15 feet tall before the late Bruce Baker collected it and transformed it to an impressive bonsai. The first backhoe he used to dig the massive tree broke and another was necessary to complete the digging before he began training it.

This is a well-organized show hosted by the friendly bonsai club members who made everyone welcome to their art they are all proud of and enjoyed sharing. I’ve seen countless shows throughout the world, and the All-State Michigan Bonsai Show is one of the well-organized and hosted shows I’ve has the pleasure of participating and sharing my knowledge and skill.

Spring is my favorite season the year. All new tender and fresh growth and blossoms, even on maples are particularly attractive and prepare for the soon (hopefully) growing season to begin. Although winter is not completely over yet (snow forecast for next Friday) and nearly everything is now positioned for the summer in the garden. We have all been busy shuffling trees into the garage for cold evening protection and must be returned outside during daylight. It is a good thing Diane had us get heavy sturdy carts to make moving large heavy trees. Also, they are used at exhibitions for moving bonsai.

Enjoy my images of our bonsai beauty during this season of the year, as it won’t last long. Colors change daily which necessitates photographing every day.

Propagating Rough-bark Japanese maples from seed:

Tomio Yamada

1938-2026

Tomio Yamada, 3^rd generation proprietor of Seiko-en Bonsai Garden in Omiya Bonsai Village has passed away quite recently. Seiko-en Bonsai Garden was founded by his grandfather Shonosuke but was then named the Oukei-en Bonsai Garden in Ugusudani during the Kaei Period (1848-1854) in Edo (now Tokyo) Japan. The garden was moved to Omiya Bonsai Village in 1943 with his father Kamajiro and the name was changed. 

Kamajiro Yamada

He started his formal bonsai training with his father in 1965. Both were outstanding sensitive arts I had the honor to meet them on my second day of study with Kyuzo Murata in June 1970. Preserving the taste and art of Edo, Seiko-en Bonsai Garden pursues the refined beauty and elegance of the seasons. They have authored many books together. This garden is one of the highlights of my bonsai tours.

Mr. Yamada first displayed a Needle juniper at the 1976 Saku Fu Bonsai Exhibition and won an award. He displayed often and won the coveted “Prime Minister’s Award” in 1985. Tomio Yamada specialized on evergreen bonsai but was skilled with all species. His literati and clinging-to-a-rock plantings were exceptional. 

He was the curator of the famous Takagi Bonsai Collection which later became the basic core of the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum. In 2012 he became an officer of the museum and greatly supports their mission. As the Director of the Omiya Bonsai Union he worked tersely establishing the “Omiya Brand” of bonsai He establishes the Japan Bonsai Artists Association in 1991. Mr. Yamada also established the Nippon Bonsai Sakka Association which has a chapter in Europe. He is a superb bonsai display master and often travels to Europe to teach his display principles.

The Omiya Bonsai Art Museum celebrating their 10^th Anniversary presented a series of five-week one man bonsai exhibitions of the Top Contemporary Bonsai Masters in the world. Hiroshi Takeyama (2018) was the first to present his one-man show in spring, followed in autumn by Masahiko Kimura (2018.)

“Tomio Yamada– Bonsai Quest for Beauty” Exhibition was held from January to March 2020.

It featured 42 famous and well-known bonsai Tomio Yamada created or is credited for his design.

Mr. Yamada’s daughter, Kaori is now the 4^th generation proprietor of Seiko-en Bonsai Garden. “Saika Bonsai” (Colorful Flowers) is an original creation of hers. It is kind of a crossover of bonsai and Ikebana but, using living rooted plants. In order to promote and introduce bonsai to the younger generation and ladies by using common smaller inexpensive plants and combining them in containers. She is now well-established teaching through videos and TV appearances.

Seiko-en is one of the remaining six bonsai gardens in the Omiya Bonsai Village. Although small in size, this beautiful and unique garden houses many famous classical bonsai masterpieces. There are fine-quality bonsai displayed at every turn and corner.

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.

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. 

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.

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

12 Foreign Exhibitors­–

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 63^rd Japanese Suiseki 

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

These two bonsai were displayed next to each other.

I wonder what he is thinking.

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.

100^th Koku-Fu Bonsai Exhibition opened today, February 8, 2026, at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum in Ueno Park, Tokyo, Japan. When it began in March 1934 two exhibitions were held yearly, one in winter and autumn. This schedule was repeated until World War II began and stopped and began after a few years. Several decades ago a double exhibition was held on the tenth years to commemorate the milestones. Then the Nippon Bonsai Association began to sponsor the exhibition in 1964. Before it was sponsored by the Koku-Fu Bonsai Club. Then it was decided to hold double show yearly where approximately all 250 masterpieces were replaced by new bonsai. So, this historic exhibition commemorates the 100^th anniversary, not 100 years.

The weather is unusually cold this year and we had about two inches of snow. Where I come from we don’t even count two inches, and I remember six inches of the white stuff on the ground in mid-May. It was amusing to see the vendors using leaf blowers and water sprayers to remove the snow since paying customers could not even see the smaller size bonsai in the outdoor sales area. The three- story Ueno Green Club, owned and operated by the Nippon Bonsai Growers Association, are packed with trees, containers, tools, supplies, suiseki and even hanging scrolls for the first time. Quite a few masterpiece bonsai were for sale which were displayed in past exhibition. Once a bonsai receives the coveted Koku-Fu Award it is not allowed to win the same award, however, it can be displayed again. All around the world people like to win awards and the Japanese bonsai community is not different. In this case the value of the tree often decreases because it can never win again. However, many bonsai do increase in value because they are award winning trees. The professional bonsai artists tend to promote the unaware trees to their clients because they still have a potential to win. And, the professionals make quite of bit of money shaping, refining, boarding and preparing trees for several years prior to showing.

I have personally visited this exhibition for about forty years and today’s Part I is one of the finest in quality. Often the bonsai in Part I and Part II vary in fine quality, which the public is not even aware of. Usually the bonsai are better in Part II. This year additional display tables were added and the NBA did not have tables to sell the commemorative albums and memberships.

I have seen larger crowds on opening days, but never have seen such a great number of foreign bonsai lovers from around the world. Even the Japanese public braved their “severe” weather to attend.

Tomorrow I will report, with new photos of course, on the statics and more personal comments on the 100^th Koku-Fu Bonsai Exhibition Part I after I complete my calculations since one visit is long enough for me to study the 200 plus trees, I’m a slow learner but thorough.