National Bonsai Foundation

AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE ABOUT OUR ORGANIZATION:

After more than 40 years of service, the National Bonsai Foundation (NBF) will conclude its operations at the end of this year. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has sustained our mission to support and safeguard the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum at the U.S. National Arboretum and to preserve and promote the art of bonsai in America.

This decision, reached after careful deliberation by our Board of Directors, marks an intentional transition that is rooted in our commitment to the art of bonsai. As the landscape of support for the traditional arts continues to evolve, now is our moment to pass the torch. For several years, the U.S. National Arboretum has been moving toward a new operational model that consolidates nonprofit engagement under a single partnership. As that vision is now being realized, and with the Arboretum’s designation of Friends of the National Arboretum (FONA) as its primary partner, the time is right to conclude our operations and ensure a smooth, unified path forward. We will direct our remaining resources toward the ongoing upkeep of the Museum, and to uplifting the next generation of individuals and organizations who carry this living tradition forward.

Please learn more at the links below:
Blog: https://www.bonsai-nbf.org/blog-archive/a-grateful-farewell
FAQs: https://www.bonsai-nbf.org/transition-faqs

AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE ABOUT OUR ORGANIZATION:

After more than 40 years of service, the National Bonsai Foundation (NBF) will conclude its operations at the end of this year. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has sustained our mission to support and safeguard the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum at the U.S. National Arboretum and to preserve and promote the art of bonsai in America.

This decision, reached after careful deliberation by our Board of Directors, marks an intentional transition that is rooted in our commitment to the art of bonsai. As the landscape of support for the traditional arts continues to evolve, now is our moment to pass the torch. For several years, the U.S. National Arboretum has been moving toward a new operational model that consolidates nonprofit engagement under a single partnership. As that vision is now being realized, and with the Arboretum’s designation of Friends of the National Arboretum (FONA) as its primary partner, the time is right to conclude our operations and ensure a smooth, unified path forward. We will direct our remaining resources toward the ongoing upkeep of the Museum, and to uplifting the next generation of individuals and organizations who carry this living tradition forward.

Please learn more at the links below:
Blog Closing Messsage: https://www.bonsai-nbf.org/blog-archive/a-grateful-farewell
FAQs: https://www.bonsai-nbf.org/transition-faqs

A heatfelt congratulations to Le Ann Duling, President of Potomac Bonsai Association, for her recently accepted tree at the U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition!

NEW EXHIBIT ALERT:
A Gentleman & A Scholar: An Exhibit in Memory of Christopher M. Cochrane

Friday, August 8, 2025 10:00 AM
Sunday, September 28, 2025 4:00 PM
Exhibits Gallery, National Bonsai & Penjing Museum

Christopher M. Cochrane, a longstanding friend of the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum and dedicated connoisseur of East Asian art, particularly viewing stones, passed away in December 2024. As a passionate collector of viewing stones, scholars’ rocks, root art, scrolls, and literati objects, Chris filled his life with art and with friends and fellow travelers. In collaboration with members of the Potomac Viewing Stone Group, the Museum is pleased to present a small portion of the collection which brought Chris such joy.

Hope you can join Ikebana International Chapter 1 At the U.S. National Arboretum for the Ikebana International Fall Festival! The festival is open to the public 10am-4pm with free demonstrations October 12, 18, 19 at 1pm.

For more information visit Ikebana International Chapter 1’s website!

NEW EXHIBIT: A Gentleman & A Scholar: An Exhibit in Memory of Christopher M. Cochrane
AUGUST 8-SEPTEMBER 28, 2025

Christopher M. Cochrane, a longstanding friend of the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum and dedicated connoisseur of East Asian art, particularly viewing stones, passed away in December 2024. As a passionate collector of viewing stones, scholars’ rocks, root art, scrolls, and literati objects, Chris filled his life with art and with friends and fellow travelers. In collaboration with members of the Potomac Viewing Stone Group, the Museum is pleased to present a small portion of the collection which brought Chris such joy.

Exhibits Gallery, National Bonsai & Penjing Museum

On Monday the CBC As It Happens published a story about the Yamaki Pine and interviewed National Bonsai & Penjing Museum Curator Michael James. This story ran to mark the 80th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima on Saturday. Excerpt from the interview below:

REBECCA ZANDBERGEN: Michael, describe this bonsai for us. What exactly does it look like?

MICHAEL JAMES: Well, the Yamaki Pine is in a, it's a tree in a container, a ceramic container. And the width of the container, as well as the height of the tree, are about three-and-a-half feet. The tree is almost a foot in diameter at the base where it emerges from the small amount of soil. And it's covered with a rounded dome canopy where every leaf is in full sun and perfectly manicured. This tree just holds a lot of meaning, and it's always up to the interpreter and the viewer. Like any piece of artwork, that meaning is open to interpretation, of course.

RZ: Tell us a little bit about its history. How did it survive?

MJ: Well, it's spent most of its life in the city of Hiroshima. This year is its anniversary year of 400 years. In bonsai, we say a bonsai is in training when it goes into a ceramic container or a type of a container. And that training process doesn't stop. So, this tree has been in training since 1625. So, it originated and was cared for by the Yamaki family. That's how it gets its name, the Yamaki Pine. It was in the family's bonsai nursery. The nursery had walls that would have protected the plant material from being stolen, or from the elements. So, that wall was about 10 feet high, really did the most to protect it from the blast. The house that was on the perimeter of that nursery received concussion blasts that broke out windows, injured family members. The house remained standing, and the family members all survived, but there was a concussion, for sure.

Comment your responses below!

Comment your responses below!

Ikebana International Chapter 1 will present an Ikebana demonstration by Professor Noritaka Noda, President of the Ikenobo Ikebana, New York City Chapter and the First US Special Professor to be recognized by Ikenobo Headquarters in Kyoto, Japan. Tickets are available as of August 1 on the Chapter's website: http://www.iichapter1.com