This year, like many others, the exhibition was held in two parts. Part 1 February 8-11, and Part 2 February 13-16, 2025. On Wednesday all the bonsai were replaced with fresh masterpieces so another 200 trees could be enjoyed. Yes, I know both the English and Japanese guides say 154. However, those are the exhibit areas, not the number of individual bonsai. Many of the shohin bonsai compositions displayed six or more trees and the medium size bonsai were usually two and sometimes three individual trees.

Unfortunately, I fell and broke my left kneecap and not stand or walk, so I had to return home after ONLY one day in Japan. Therefore I missed the entire Part 2 and the Suiseki Exhibition. Fortunately my good friend, Julian Adams from Lynchburg, Virginia, took the time to photograph each one of the 154 bonsai displays. He did a superb job with the photos and allowed me to share them with you. If you happen to see Julian, please thank him for his generosity.

All photos by Julian Adams

The 99^th Kokufu Bonsai Exhibition is being held at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum in Ueno Park, Tokyo, Japan. It is considered to be the world’s finest bonsai exhibition. Part1 is being held on February 8-11, 2025, while Part 2 runs from February 13-16, 2025. On Wednesday, February 12 the exhibition is closed to the public while every bonsai is replaced with fresh trees, it is actually another new exhibition.

This is the 99^th exhibition, next year will highlight the 100^th exhibition. The first exhibition was held in March 1934 (91 years ago, not 100 years) twice each year in late winter and autumn. The exhibition held this twice yearly schedule from 1934 to 1944, then cancelled during the war. It began again in 1947 until present. Most were yearly, but there was one exhibition held in two a few years later. It has been held yearly in February until 1988 when the exhibition was held in two parts. There was only one part in 2022 (covid?) When the museum was resigned, to make it handicap accessible fewer trees could be displayed. Now the exhibition is held in two parts so more bonsai can be displayed.

Part 2 of the longest running bonsai exhibition will be held on February 13-136, the same time as the Nippon Suiseki Exhibition, also in the same building on the fourth floor.

A Few Personal Observations on Part 1:

The backgrounds and lighting were improved a few years ago and continues to highlight each bonsai. A couple of years ago the restriction of photos was eliminated. Probably the extensive use of small mobile phones with cameras had an influence.

This year it seemed as though there was a larger number of junipers and pines compared with deciduous species. Like in past exhibitions there were fewer rock plantings and forests but more literati style bonsai displayed. The Japanese flowering apricot bonsai were well represented, and in blossom too. There was a good representation of Zuisho Japanese five-needle pine bonsai.

Five Kokufu Prizes were awarded to outstanding bonsai and I believe only the second time a shohin bonsai composition received one of these prestigious awards. Masterpieces shown.There were 13 Important Bonsai As always all the bonsai were beautiful and simply displayed to allow their beauty to shine.

WARNING, this entry is not about bonsai, but rather saga of my trip. So please feel free to skip this entry. 

My first trip to Japan was in 1970. Since then I’ve had over 100 trips to Japan which were wonderful but not quite as exciting as this trip. Julian Adams joined me for a relaxing eight-day visit to the 99^th Kokufu Bonsai Exhibition with a free schedule to visit the show and take a shuttle bus to the Ueno Green Club, the three-story building full of bonsai and even in the parking lot around the building is full of vendors. Since I’ve had a “tenancy” to fall down Diane will not let me go to Japan alone anymore, because it’s dangerous. Actually, she did not want me to go, even with my friend Julian.

I should have listened to her….

On the first morning, we took a taxi to the museum where the exhibition is held. I’ve been using a walking cane for some time now to help prevent falls. It did not work this time. Just as we were turning the entrance way to the museum I lost my balance and took out a few azaleas in a hedge. Julian could not lift me by himself and it took three strong men to lift me, then I immediately dropped again and again. I was not able to walk or stand alone. My saviors went into the museum and got me a wheelchair. Julian pushed me around the entire exhibition until 11:30 when we went upstairs for lunch. When I was nearly finished I had a few chest pains and got nauseated. Julian found a large trash can, but fortunately quieted down and we left. Even with a pacemaker and defibrillaodefri I still must be careful. Julian thought I might be having a heart attack and was quite concerned. Dying at Kokufu ten certainly have been eventful.

After lunch, we went downstairs to finish studying the small and shohin compositions. Then we started off to the Ueno Green Club for shopping, and reality kicked in. How am I to get to the shuttle bus, since I can’t stand? We decided to “borrow” one of the museum’s wheelchairs and return it tomorrow. WE quickly walked and wheeled out of the museum until a security cop caught and detained us. I tried to talk my way into them allow me to rent the wheelchair. The security cop, naturally had to call his boss. Not speaking English, we just stood around looking at each other until the museum director who spoke English arrived and we had more discussions. I was allowed to use the wheelchair on museum property but could not rent it or remove it. 

So, I asked the three officers, what to do now. Finally, they took me away, (I thought to a Japanese prison,) a first floor exit and several more museum personal joined to question us. I was very fortunate to have my long-time friend Makiko Kobayashi, who had lived in the US and translates and writes bonsai articles in English translating for all of us. I probably would have ended up in Japanese prison without Makio’s assistance.

I said how about an ambulance to take me a hospital and then I thought rent a wheelchair. After a 30 minute discussion, the EMTs and driver and hospital the tried to find one which could help and accept me, during this holiday when most people are off their jobs. I was warned, several times, that if I must spend the night in the hospital, one of Tokyo finest. The daily charge would be about US $7,000 per night. At this point I’m not certain my Medicare or supplemental insurance would cover it.

After a 20 minute fast moving ambulance ride, complete with sirens, we arrived at very nice and clean hospital emergency room. They instantly checked my name and birthdate and put me a curtained area. My nurse suddenly appeared to help me. The chief doctor in the ER came to introduce himself and we chatted. He took blood samples while I was attached to an EKG, and having tubes shoved up my arms. All the nurses and doctors spoke English, and they all appeared to be than 40 years old. I have been in an emergency room “a few times” with waits from four hours to over eight before someone looked at me.

Following the testing the doctor ordered x-rays of my left knee. It was a very short time before they returned with the news that my left knee cap was fractured. They warned me to keep weight off my left leg because the fracture might travel and need surgery. They provided me with a leg brace, the X-rays, crutches, directions and prescriptions for pain relief. A special ambulance taxi to take us all, Julian, Makiko and her husband, who came bearing sandwiches to our hotel. The ambulance taxi was large and they transferred me into a comfortable chair like a Lazy Boy rocker.

We arrive at the hotel which only has an escalator which goes down not up. There was a steep staircase next to the escalator, and that went both up and down. The receptionist came and change the direction of the escalator. I hobbled to the escalator and held onto both moving handrails. There was one person in front and one in back in case I would fall.

I was so tired, and in some pain, I decided to return home today, on Monday rather than next Sunday. I did not want to miss part 2 of the exhibition and the suiseki exhibition as well, a most difficult decision to make. United Airlines wanted to charge me $500 for the date change. So, I told the customer representative that is ridiculous! This is a medical emergency change plus I’m a member of the Million Mile Club and have gold status for life.

I got home with no problem and pain. Got lucky both my flights were not full so had an entire row to keep my leg straight. One suitcase and I arrived on time, while the other suitcase arrived the next day.

Reflecting back, I did not purchase ANYTHING in Japan (a first) that was not consumable. Although I did have a taxi ride and three ambulance taxi rides to pay for.
 
My next blog entry on BONSAI will be coming soon because Diane will not let me off the sofa with my leg straight.

My next blog entry on BONSAI will be coming soon because Diane will not let me off the sofa with my leg straight.

Thank you for your interest for the 2023 8^th US National Bonsai Exhibition Commemorative  Album. I appreciate your order and support!

The album was STILL in production, I got delayed because all the exhibitors did NOT complete their Bonsai Data Forms. So I had to chase down and contact most of the exhibitors to get the correct information on their bonsai. This is in addition to a few medical issues delayed the album.

Right now I just finished the album. It was proofread by five different people and corrected. At the last minute Joe Noga again reviewed his beautiful bonsai photos and decided they were not quite up to his standards. They looked fine to me. So, Joe just adjusted over 200 photos and proofed them to make certain our printer in China can match his high color standards. Joe uses the same paper and ink (10 different color cartridges) for his proofs as the press uses to print the album so they match.

It’s now ready to send it to our printer.  Once our printer receives the album it will take 2-3 months to get the album quality printed in China and hope they do not use a slow boat.

I’m certain you will find the album up to the same high standards you have enjoyed in my past ten books, 142 issues of International BONSAI and albums. Most people will quickly forget the unusually long wait once you have the exquisite album in your hands.

I’m very sorry about this unexpected but necessary delay, but I’m doing the best job I can and have an idea how to correct the problem for the 2025 9^th US National Bonsai Exhibition which will be held on September 13-14, 2025.

Thank you for your order, patience and understanding as I continue to produce fine quality educational bonsai reference books, programs and displays for the world-wide bonsai community.

With my deep and sincere apologies.

Bill