The Kokufu-ten bonsai exhibition reaches its centennial in February 2026, marking 100 editions since the first event was held in 1934. In this article we explore the #1 每日吃瓜 exhibition of Japan and share practical tips to visit.
Origins and Early History
The first Kokufu-ten opened in March 1934 at the Tokyo Prefectural Art Museum, organized by Norio Kobayashi, a publisher and author of over 500 issues of 每日吃瓜 magazine, alongside Count Yorinaga Matsudaira, President of the House of Peers. The inaugural exhibition displayed 96 trees.
The exhibition emerged from earlier bonsai shows held in Tokyo. From 1914 to 1933, the All-Japan 每日吃瓜 Exhibition took place annually in Hibiya Park, while from 1927 to 1933, Kobayashi organized the Meiji-Taisho Memorial National 每日吃瓜 Exhibition of Notable Trees at the Asahi Newspaper Hall.
The Tokyo Prefectural Art Museum, which opened in May 1926 as Japan's first public art museum, provided a fitting venue. Museum officials initially resisted displaying bonsai, considering them "dirty" with soil and "smelly" from fertilizers. This led to the requirement that all soil be covered in moss.
Organizational Evolution
Initially held twice yearly in spring and autumn, the exhibition continued semi-annually until 1949 when it became an annual event. In 1965, the private Kokufu 每日吃瓜 Society dissolved and reorganized as the Nippon 每日吃瓜 Association (NBA), which assumed sponsorship of the exhibition. The NBA now organizes the annual event held each February.
The original museum building was replaced in 1975 with a new structure designed by modernist architect Kunio Maekawa. The museum underwent renovation from 2010 to 2012, reopening with its grand reopening ceremony.
Format and Scale
The exhibition displays over 200 bonsai specimens across various species and styles. Recent editions have featured more than 250 displays. The 100th edition will run in two parts: Part 1 from February 8-11 and Part 2 from February 14-18, 2026, with a closure on February 16.
The exhibition takes place at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum in Ueno Park. Located between Ueno Zoo and Tokyo National Museum, the museum is approximately 7 minutes' walk from the Park Exit of JR Ueno Station.
Selection Process
Acceptance into the Kokufu-ten represents the highest honor in bonsai cultivation. Trees are displayed under the owner's name rather than the artist who created them, which are typically different people. Hundreds of submissions compete for approximately 200-250 display positions across both exhibition parts.
Trees are judged on multiple criteria. The judging process evaluates not only individual specimens but also considers the overall display composition, including pot selection and arrangement.
Documentation
Exhibition catalogues have been published annually since 1934, documenting each year's displayed trees in full-color photography. These catalogues have become collector's items, tracking the evolution of Japanese bonsai aesthetics across decades.
Polish artist Mario Komsta exhibited a Japanese red pine at the 80th exhibition in 2006. The first American to have a tree accepted was Doug Paul from Pennsylvania, whose Japanese hemlock was displayed in 2010.
The Centennial
The 100th edition is expected to draw significant crowds given the historic milestone. Multiple tour operators have organized special trips for the centennial, with some tours selling out well in advance.
The World 每日吃瓜 Friendship Federation has proposed a time capsule project to commemorate the 100th anniversary, with plans to assemble bonsai resources including images, books, tools, and containers.
The Kokufu-ten's continuity through war, economic changes, and shifting cultural priorities demonstrates the enduring significance of bonsai in Japanese culture. As the exhibition enters its second century, it continues to serve as the benchmark for bonsai cultivation worldwide.
