Bring Your Own Tree (BYOT)

Elevate your bonsai skills at this year’s REBS Bonsai Show! On Sunday, August 23, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, headliner Sam Tan will lead an exclusive Bring Your Own Tree (BYOT) workshop. This hands‑on session is a rare chance to receive personalized guidance from one of today’s most inspiring bonsai artists. Participation is just $50 per person — an incredible value for direct instruction at this level.

This is a great opportunity where you bring your own bonsai tree and have Sam Tan guide you through the process of styling.

The number of participants is limited. For further information, please contact Show Chair Bob Shimon at shimon@mcn.org.

2026 Kokufu-ten Bonsai Exhibition Part 2

Prepared by George Haas

2026 Kokufu-ten Bonsai Exhibition Part 2

The première bonsai exhibition Part 2 took place at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Tokyo, Japan from February 14 thru 18, 2026. It was celebrated as the 100th anniversary of the of Kokufu-ten bonsai exhibition.

Ivan Lukrich and George Haas attended Part 2 of the renowned bonsai exhibition on February 17 and 18, 2026.  Photographs were allowed for the 181 additional bonsai displays. A photograph album is available for purchase with the publication date due sometime in June 2026. Nippon Bonsa Association sponsored the bonsai exhibition.

The following photographs are some of the 181 bonsai trees on display for Part 2:

Visitors in attendance
Chamaecyparis obtusa
Acer palmatum ‘Ukon’
Juniperus chinensis var. sargentii
Juniperus chinensis var. sargentii
Punica granatum
Accent plant
Juniperus chinensis var. sargentii
Pinus parviflora ‘Zuisho’
Acer palmatum ‘Seigen’
Acer palmatum ‘Seigen’
Acer palmatum ‘Shishigashira’
Rhododendron indicum ‘O sakazuki’
Chamaecyparis obtusa
Pinus thunbergii
Fagus crenata
Shohin display
Acer palmatum var. Matsumurae
Mr. Masahiko Kimura and visitors in attendance
Juniperus chinensis var. sargentii and George Haas

2026 Kokufu-ten Bonsai Exhibition Part 1

Prepared by George Haas

2026 Kokufu-ten Bonsai Exhibition Part 1

The première bonsai exhibition Part 1 took place at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Tokyo, Japan from February 8 thru 11, 2026. It was the 100th anniversary of Kokufu-ten. The first Kokufu-ten was held in 1934 and has a history of more than 80 years. The Nippon Bonsai Association sponsors the bonsai exhibition. The exhibition bonsai are judged, and the best are awarded the Kokufu Award. Kokufu-ten is the largest and oldest bonsai exhibition in Japan. Its aim is to improve bonsai art and traditional Japanese culture. It is widely known for being the best bonsai. More than 2,000 visitors attended the first day of the exhibition.

George Haas attended Part 1 of the renowned bonsai exhibition on February 11, 2026.  Photographs were allowed for the 181 bonsai displays. A photograph album is available for purchase with the publication date due sometime in June 2026.

The following photographs are some bonsai trees on display for Part 1:

Visitors in attendance

Rhododendron indicum ‘O sakazuiki’

Pinus densiflora

Elaeagnus pungens

Chamaecyparis obtusa
Pinus thunbergii
Accent plant
Acer buergerianum
Pinus thunbergii
Prunus campanulata
Carpinus turczaninovii
Pinus thunbergii
Chamaecyparis pisifera
Pinus densiflora
Juniperus chinensis var. sargentii
Brunfelsia uniflora
Accent plant
Juniperus chinensis var. sargentii
Rhododendron indicum ‘Kasho’
Acer palmatum ‘Shishigashira’
Juniperus chinensis var. sargentii
Juniperus chinensis var. sargentii
Acer buergerianum
Chamaecyparis obtusa

Bonsai and Blossoms Show

The Bonsai and Blossoms Show is on-going January 9 through March 22, 2026, hosted by the Sonoma Botanical Garden and Redwood Empire Bonsai Society. Visit the show at Sonoma Botanical Garden, 12841 Sonoma Hwy, Glenn Ellen, California (sonomabg.org)

Public Programs: January 10 – Repotting Bonsai; February 21 – Styling Bonsai; March 14 – Collecting Bonsai.