Category: History

Twenty‑Five Years of Growth — Past, Present, and Future

Twenty‑Five Years of Growth — Past, Present, and Future

For twenty‑five years, the Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt (BGLM), Oakland, California, has stood as a testament to patience, artistry, and community. Like the trees it houses, the garden has grown slowly and intentionally shaped by many hands, guided by shared vision, and rooted in a deep respect for the ancient art of bonsai.

BGLM is a volunteer‑driven nonprofit organization supported entirely through donations and grants. 

The anniversary book captures years in the making. It is a story of transformation: of trees, of people, and of a public space that has become one of the most cherished bonsai collections in the United States.

The major project in 2024 was undertaken by a modest group of garden volunteers to celebrate 25 years of BGLM. Research and execution took more than 13 months, six separate photograph shoots, and certainly dedication for creating and publishing the book.

The 123-page book focuses on the history of the garden, the number of donors, supporters and volunteers, and the museum quality bonsai and suiseki viewing stones. Going back to the concept in 1974 and covering the years of construction and growth, more than 1,700 contributing individual names were published in the book.

The 25th Anniversary Book – produced in both softcover and hardcover editions – was completed right on schedule and made its debut during the BGLM’s anniversary celebration in November 2024. Its release became a highlight of the event, offering visitors and longtime supporters a tangible way to commemorate a quarter century of growth, artistry, and community.

The future of the Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt – its trees, its stones, its educational mission, and its role as a living art museum – will rest in the hands of all‑volunteer bonsai practitioners and enthusiasts who support it today. Their dedication is the garden’s greatest asset.

For information about purchasing the 25th Anniversary Book, click Purchase 25th Anniversary Book

Hardcover

Softcover

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

The First 25 Years of the Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt

On November 6, 2024, the Golden State Bonsai Federation’s Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt, in Oakland, California, will be celebrating its first 25 years. It was as early as 1974, when the concept for the bonsai garden came about during a conversation between Toicho Domoto and Bill Hashimoto, two notable Japanese American bonsai pioneers. They were interested in preserving bonsai produced in northern California. They understood bonsai required a permanent place to continue to thrive. They asked themselves what will happen when we can no longer care for and maintain our bonsai trees? The answer to their question was and is the Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt.

On April 5, 1997, an official groundbreaking ceremony was held at the site located within the Gardens at Lake Merritt. Construction took more than two years. Support for the bonsai and suiseki display garden came from individuals and bonsai clubs throughout the State of California. Hundreds of volunteers and donors were responsible for making the concept into a reality.

BGLM opened its gates to the public on November 6, 1999, by hosting a grand opening celebration of bonsai and suiseki, held on site at the Gardens of Lake Merritt and Lakeside Park Garden Center. Dennis Makishima was master of ceremonies for the grand opening, including then Mayor Jerry Brown, John Naka who talked at length, Harry Hirao, Yasuo Mitsuya of Japan, recreation and parks Officials, and many more. In addition to the ribbon cutting, there was a lively celebration inside the Lakeside Park Garden Center; well attended, Japanese Taiko drum music, donated sake keg, etc.

Since the gates were opened to the public, the collection has dramatically grown in size. The most significant historic and legacy trees include the historic Daimyo Oak (Tree #115) brought to the U.S. during President Abraham Lincoln’s administration in the 1860’s, the 500 year old Japanese Black Pine (Tree #262) donated by Mas Imazumi, and featured at the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco, and legacy trees by famous bonsai pioneer artists; Harry Hirao, Jimmy Inadomi and John Naka just to name a few.

A group of dedicated volunteers is working to publish a book which captures the history of the garden thus far.

The book, which working title is “The First 25 Years of the Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt”, will present the very best bonsai trees in the collection and to celebrate the many donors, supporters and volunteers who have contributed to the evolution of what is now a museum quality bonsai and suiseki garden.

Pre-sales for the book will start in mid-April, with a publication date scheduled for November 2024.