Author: 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.

REDWOOD EMPIRE BONSAI SOCIETY 2026 PROGRAMS

The Redwood Empire Bonsai Society (REBS) of Rohnert Park, CA, proudly announced it 2026 annual programs. Meetings take place every fourth Thursday of the month at the Rohnert Park Community Center, Rohnert Park, CA, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM.

January 22 – Guest Artist Bob Shimon: Pygmy Cypress Styling. Bob founded Mendocino Coast Bonsai in 1995 and specializes in Redwood, Sierra Juniper, Mendocino Pygmy Cypress, and Live Oak yamadori (collected from the wild).

February 26 – Guest Artist Matthew Walker: Demo Root over Rock bonsai style.

March 26 – Guest Artist Addison Galambos: Demo on Juniper.

April 23 – Guest Artist Sam Tan: Demo on Juniper. Sam studied intensively under the renowned Ryan Neil at Bonsai Mirai in 2019.

May 28 – Guest Artist Paul Holtzen: Demo on Boxwood.

June 25 – Guest Artist Eric Schrader: Demo on the elements of Show Display.

July 23 – Guest Artist John Doig: Demo on Olive. John gave a notable demo in 2025, which involved a discussion of how to split a trunk to produce attractive deadwood.

August – No meetings due to scheduled annual Bonsa Show.

September 24 – Adam Toth:  REBS Show Critique. Adam apprenticed in Japan under Mr.Taiga Urushibata.

October 22- TBD

November 19- TBD

December- No meetings due to Holidays

The Bonsai Show – Bonsai & Blossoms

For the third year in a row, the Redwood Empire Bonsai Society (REBS) will partner with the Sonoma Botanical Garden to conduct an exhibition of bonsai. The theme this year is The Bonsai Show – Bonsai & Blossoms. About 20 or so bonsai will be exhibited by seven members of the REBS club. The exhibit takes place in a commercial greenhouse. The Sonoma Botanical Garden staff perform daily care and watering requirements. For details Bonsai & Blossoms.