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A historic spruce at the 94th Kokufu exhibition

February 18, 2020 by Jonas Dupuich

This year’s Kokufu exhibition featured a special display of books and posters from early exhibits.

Posters from past Kokufu exhibits

Posters from early Kokufu exhibitions

I only glanced at the posters on my first visit to the show before quickly moving on to the next display.

On my second pass through the exhibit, I looked closely at the tree displayed next to these posters, and gasped when I read the information card. The tree had been displayed at the first Kokufu exhibition held in March, 1934.

Ezo spruce

Ezo spruce displayed at the inaugural Kokufu exhibit in 1934

To the tree’s left, a book from this first exhibit showed how the tree looked 86 years ago.

Photo of ezo spruce from 1934

Photo from Kokufu 1

If it seems improbable that this is the same tree, here’s a close-up of the first branch.

First branch

Unmistakable first branch

The pot too deserves some attention as it’s unlike the other pots in the exhibit. I don’t know what kind of pot it is, but it’s clear that it’s old.

Pot showing signs of age

Old pot

I wanted to begin my reports from the 94th Kokufu exhibit with this tree to underscore how important age is at exhibits like the Kokufu-ten. The trees all bear signs of age, as do the containers and stands.

Later this week, I’ll share photos of the prize winners – eight extraordinary bonsai that express both age and beauty.

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Filed Under: Exhibits Tagged With: Japan, Kokufu, spruce

Previous Post: « Evergreen highlights and displays from the 17th Shohin Seminar
Next Post: Prize-winning trees from the 94th Kokufu Bonsai Exhibition »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. scott chadd says

    February 18, 2020 at 9:35 am

    i have a collection of bonsai newsletters, books, etc. from the 50’s 60’s and 70’s. the remarkable changes that have happened in the field of bonsai and to the materials themselves are stunning. our bonsai these days are so strong and healthy, so full and green when compared with those over the past 70 years. Dennis says the old guys grew them with loving neglect. we are kinder to them now.

    • Jonas Dupuich says

      February 18, 2020 at 9:36 am

      Thanks Scott – I’ve seen the same thing. It’s really heartening to see the progress made over the decades as it makes me optimistic about the future!

  2. Robert Miller says

    February 18, 2020 at 1:31 pm

    In chess perhaps a player can see three or four moves in advance; a grandmaster twelve to fifteen.

    The beauty of this tree and the wisdom of those who have cared for it is that the vision has been good for eighty-six years. Well done!

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