2015 89th Kokufu Bonsai Exhibition– Part 1

The 89th Kokufu Bonsai Exhibition is being held in two parts this year in order to display more bonsai in an area which is slightly smaller than in previous years. Part 1, February 5-8, 2015 and Part 2, February 10-13 2015.

On February 9th all 181 bonsai displays will be switched in Part 1. Although there are 181 displays, there are perhaps 250 individual bonsai displayed as there are generally six trees in each shohin bonsai display and two or three trees in the medium exhibits. There are only five shohin bonsai exhibits in Part 1. There are six bonsai displayed by foreigners including three Americans. More on those and the shohin bonsai displays later.

Needle juniper, Juniperus rigida

Japanese flowering quince, Chaenomeles speciosa

Japanese five-needle pine, Pinus parviflora

Sinuous style, all root connected

Part 1 of the exhibition is excellent, lots of good trees. Even for me, a bit of overload so this report has not been posted as quickly as I normally do. First are a few overall photos, some impressive trees and the five Kokufu Award bonsai. It is extremely difficult to photograph with the varied lighting which makes many of the trees look purple or red. Many of the trees are in dark areas and often details cannot be enjoyed. Very hard to capture the beauty of each tree. And there four areas full of trees, each with different height ceilings and different poor lighting. Many of the trees are dramatically lighted, which look good but nearly impossible to photograph.

There were five Kokufu Prizes awarded in Part 1: