the spirit of bonsai

The National Bonsai & Penjing Museum in Washington, DC contains miniature masterpieces of horticultural art. The Chinese art of penjing and the Japanese art of bonsai use woody plants in containers as a medium to portray the natural growth habit of trees in the landscape. The living sculptures of bonsai and penjing are inspired by natural scenes, and they change with the seasons like their wild relatives. They require continual care and training to maintain their artistic designs. In addition to water and fertilization, the bonsai are pruned and their branches are shaped using wire to give the impression of ancient trees.

The museum’s collection began in 1976 with a gift of 53 bonsai trees from Japan to commemorate the United States Bicentennial. The collection has grown steadily with the addition of pieces from North American bonsai masters and a penjing collection from China. Now, more than 300 specimens rotate through the display tables and pedestals of three pavilions and a special exhibits gallery.

Spotlight: The Yamaki Pine

The legend of the Yamaki Pine (Japanese white pine, Pinus parvifolia ‘Miyajima’) — also known as the “Peace Tree” — has made its way around the world for generations. Its permanent home at the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum places it among America’s national collections of bonsai, where it proudly welcomes visitors into the museum’s Japanese Pavilion.

This iconic bonsai has seen a lot of history: It has been in training since 1625, survived the bombing of Hiroshima in 1945, and now stands as a living symbol of resilience and international friendship at the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum.