98th Kokufu-ten Highlights

[Piedmont Bonsai]

I had my first ever trip to Japan to see the 98th Kokufu-ten as well as other bonsai gardens and I wanted to share some of the Highlights of the exhibition.

Here are some favorites from part one:

Seigen Momiji


Another Seigen Momiji. I think this one may be grafted on Yama Momiji roots



Very nice Hinoki forest


Chunky Shishigashira Maple


Another Seigen with great ramification, but not as nice as the previous 2 in my opinion.


Incredible Shimpaku. One of my favorites from the show


An incredible Japanese black pine. One of my favorites from the show. A very balanced tree.
Look at the nebari


Stay tuned as I update the thread with more trees!

 

[awarrenj]

Thanks so much for sharing your trip with us.

 

[Piedmont Bonsai]

Japanese Maple. I believe this is normal Yama Momiji


Very big and powerful Japanese Red Pine. I believe this tree was in a recent Kokufu-ten. Maybe the 95th.


This tree was cool. I think it’s an orange or mandarin perhaps.


Japanese Red Pine from the Imperial Bonsai Collection. This tree was very tall in person.


Fantastic medium size Neagari white pine.


A powerful medium size black pine in a flower shaped pot. Really cool tree.

 

[TimIAm]

I don't have any background with bonsai culture and there isn't a wikipedia page about this show. I noticed a few of the trees posted were marked as coming from Chinese artists. Is it typical for this show to have different trees from around the world? I guess I'm asking if Kokufu-ten is an international show or mostly a Japanese show with some limited international artists.

 

[Yamabudoudanshi]

I don't have any background with bonsai culture and there isn't a wikipedia page about this show. I noticed a few of the trees posted were marked as coming from Chinese artists. Is it typical for this show to have different trees from around the world? I guess I'm asking if Kokufu-ten is an international show or mostly a Japanese show with some limited international artists.

The trees all live in Japan and are maintained at Japanese nurseries. Some are simply owned by foreign owners as investment pieces. Many of whom come during these shows to see "their" trees in person. A lot of the owners are actually bonsai artists in their own countries, but are not responsible for the day-to-day care of the trees.

 

[jeremy_norbury]

I'm not convinced these trees are better than what I saw in Belgium on Saturday.

 

[Matte91]

I'm not convinced these trees are better than what I saw in Belgium on Saturday.

I totally agree!

 

[Yamabudoudanshi]

I'm not convinced these trees are better than what I saw in Belgium on Saturday.

I suspect while there is a difference in taste, some of these shows like the trophy are absolutely up there in quality. Only my passive internet observation, but I would say that Japan is probably ahead when it comes to shohin/mini sizes, but some of the big trees, especially conifers are really quite comparable.

 

[johng]

I'm not convinced these trees are better than what I saw in Belgium on Saturday.

and as it looks like a majority of those trees are imports from Japan it kind of stands to reason....

 

[rockm]

and as it looks like a majority of those trees are imports from Japan it kind of stands to reason....

Was gonna say...

 

[Piedmont Bonsai]

and as it looks like a majority of those trees are imports from Japan it kind of stands to reason....

Yep. It would be interesting to see the number of trees from that show that are imports vs the number of trees developed entirely in Europe. Especially for the deciduous trees.

Europe does have amazing conifer yamadori that is on par with Japan, but the kokufu-ten is the best show in the world for a reason. It is often imitated but never truly replicated.

 

[Matte91]

and as it looks like a majority of those trees are imports from Japan it kind of stands to reason....

Perhaps. But the winner tree for best conifer is a Pinus sylvestris yamadori from Italy made by Mauro Stemberger.
So among all the japanese import, the Italian pine still wins. Interesting right

 

[NaoTK]

How is the Trophy judged?

 

[baron]

the kokufu-ten is the best show in the world for a reason.

I initially thought so too..but from what I've heard and seen so far its more like the biggest cashcow in the world.

 

[rockm]

FWIW, some words about the Kokufu exhibition from a veteran western attendee

2024 98th Kokufu Bonsai Exhibition– Part 1

The 2024 98th Kokufu Bonsai Exhibition is being held in two parts this year (Part 1 February 9-12, 2024 and Part 2 February 14-17, 2024.) Again, (like most years) held the exhibition in the Tokyo M…

valavanisbonsaiblog.com

2024 98th Kokufu Bonsai Exhibition- Part 2

The 2024 98th Kokufu Bonsai Exhibition is being held in two parts this year (Part 1 February 9-12, 2024 and Part 2 February 14-17, 2024.) Again, (like most years) the exhibition was held in th…

valavanisbonsaiblog.com

 

[Piedmont Bonsai]

I initially thought so too..but from what I've heard and seen so far its more like the biggest cashcow in the world.

Cash cow in what way?
It’s less than $10 a person to see both days of the show

 

[Piedmont Bonsai]

FWIW, some words about the Kokufu exhibition from a veteran western attendee

2024 98th Kokufu Bonsai Exhibition– Part 1

The 2024 98th Kokufu Bonsai Exhibition is being held in two parts this year (Part 1 February 9-12, 2024 and Part 2 February 14-17, 2024.) Again, (like most years) held the exhibition in the Tokyo M…

valavanisbonsaiblog.com

2024 98th Kokufu Bonsai Exhibition- Part 2

The 2024 98th Kokufu Bonsai Exhibition is being held in two parts this year (Part 1 February 9-12, 2024 and Part 2 February 14-17, 2024.) Again, (like most years) the exhibition was held in th…

valavanisbonsaiblog.com

Thanks for sharing. I did think part 2 was better quality than part 1, but I enjoyed part 1 more as it was less crowded than when I saw part 2 and also some of the trees toward the end of the show in part 2 had very dry soil and shriveled moss as the apprentices hadn’t yet watered them with the sprayer yet, so some trees didn’t appear as vibrant as they would with moist moss.

 

[baron]

Cash cow in what way?
It’s less than $10 a person to see both days of the show

The trees brought in for the Kokufu are usually sold before or afterwards, and will fetch a premium price because of the Kokufu tag. Thats their selling point...
But these trees are worked so hard and are at the peak of refinement, a state in which they cannot be kept.

As far as I hear Japanese people don't buy Kokufu trees.. only foreigners do.

 

[Piedmont Bonsai]

The trees brought in for the Kokufu are usually sold before or afterwards, and will fetch a premium price because of the Kokufu tag. Thats their selling point...
But these trees are worked so hard and are at the peak of refinement, a state in which they cannot be kept.

As far as I hear Japanese people don't buy Kokufu trees.. only foreigners do.

Would this not be the case for any major exhibition? Being shown in a major show adds to the provenance of a tree and will increase the value as a result. I’m sure buying and selling goes on but I’m sure it goes on at any other major show such as the trophy.

>95% of trees at the show were shown by japanese owners.

I went to many nurseries and gardens on my trip and saw trees that could immediately be shown in the kokufu-ten. To say that the trees can not be maintained that way is false.

 

[rockm]

The trees brought in for the Kokufu are usually sold before or afterwards, and will fetch a premium price because of the Kokufu tag. Thats their selling point...
But these trees are worked so hard and are at the peak of refinement, a state in which they cannot be kept.

As far as I hear Japanese people don't buy Kokufu trees.. only foreigners do.

I would find the "only foreigners" buy Kokufu trees thing a bit suspicious, given the sheer numbers of trees and exhibitors involved. Those top trees are bought and sold among Japanese bonsai nursery owners repeatedly from what I've seen a heard. That may be changing, however, with Chinese buyers in particular purchasing trees. The "they increase the price because it's in the show" thing is also a bit cynical and inaccurate. As pointed out, that happens at any bonsai show in Japan, Europe and the U.S. Provenance and awards and even admission, into a prestigious show ANYWHERE will increase the price of a tree. What's wrong with that anyway?

Worth reading through:

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5b3a44a7e17ba3cdbff49f51/t/5eef9fbb0fbc5b4fa6e6d271/1592762309080/nbf.bulletin.spring.summer.2014.6.16.14%5B37676%5D.pdf