Kunio Kobayashi’s Shunka-en Bonsai Museum in Tokyo is always a highlight for my Japan visits.

 

There are ALWAYS new bonsai all over the place, mainly large size for the Chinese Market.

There were many large grafted Sargent juniper bonsai, all wired and just waiting to fill out for future sales. Julian Adams and I had a nice quiet lunch with Mr. Kobayashi before all the apprentices were fed. Currently he has three Japanese, three Chinese and one Mexican apprentices. Considering the number of trees he has, more apprentices are needed.

 

There are over 12 alcoves for formal bonsai displays. Mr. Kobayashi always shows his creativity in creating distinctive bonsai displays.

This Rose bonsai was recently wired. I wonder which new apprentice wired this tree?

 

During this visit I was impressed with the increased number, size and colorful quality of the koi in the pond, surrounded by bonsai. There was a sign in front of the pond I could not make out, so I asked Jin, one of the apprentices who speaks English. I waited and expected a flowery poetic name of the pond display or something like that . The sign was the name of the owner of the koi…… Still a great visit.