National Bonsai Foundation

Year of the Rabbit
A New Year Stone Exhibit
January 29 - March 27, 2011

What do Albert Einstein, Angelina Jolie, and Prince Charles have in common? They were all born in a Year of the Rabbit, which comes around every twelve years according to the Asian zodiac. People born during a Rabbit Year are said to be wise, gentle in spirit, creative, and cautious. Like the rabbit, they hop over obstacles and always land on their feet!

In Asian countries and communities around the world, the Year of the Rabbit begins this year on February 3, 2011—New Year’s Day in the lunar calendar. Since ancient times, the first new moon of the year has marked not only the beginning of a new year in the affairs of people, but a rebirth of life in the seasonal cycles of nature.

At the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum, we celebrate the renewal of nature that is at the heart of the Asian New Year traditions through bonsai and related art forms like viewing stones. When we bring miniaturized versions of ancient trees and majestic mountains into our living spaces, we may experience and reflect on the grandeur of nature, the changing seasons, and our own place in the universe. Our Lunar New Year exhibit celebrates these connections with a variety of New Year symbols and a special stone exhibit featuring rabbits.
Happy New Year!

As Winter Ends

When the Lunar New Year begins, even though winter’s snow remains, nature shows signs of life in swollen flower buds. They join other New Year decorations to symbolically express wishes for fortune, happiness, and good health: Plum blossoms, oranges, the color red, and rabbits gazing at the moon all invite good luck into the home. Discover these and other auspicious objects in our exhibit.

Viewing Stones

Viewing stones are naturally formed stones collected for their beautiful colors, patterns, or resemblance to natural features. Long admired in China, Korea and Japan, people around the world learned the art of viewing stones at the same time they learned the art of bonsai from Japanese masters.

The two art forms are traditionally linked in Japan and often displayed together at exhibitions. The majority of viewing stones suggest landscape features, such as mountains. A smaller group of viewing stones, known as object stones and image stones, tend to represent the flora and fauna of nature.

Lingering Snow
Snow-capped Mountain Stone, Thomes Creek, CA | Donated by Bob Carlson

Spring Runoff
Mountain Stream Stone, Kamogawa, Japan | Donated by Kunizo Motoki

Rabbit and Moon

In Asian art, you often see a rabbit paired with the moon to mean long life and good fortune. This association is based on the Chinese folktale of the Jade Rabbit who makes the elixir of immortality on the moon. Instead of seeing a “man in the moon,” the Chinese see a rabbit in the shadowy markings on the surface.

Rabbit Leaping at Moon
Hopping Rabbit, Northern California | Collection of Chung Kruger
Moon-pattern Stone, Mokolume River, CA, Plant-pattern Stone, Merced River, CA
Collection of American Viewing Stone Resource Center

Rabbit Gazing at Moon
Rabbit Stone, Eel River, CA | Collection of American Viewing Stone Resource Center

New Year’s Firsts

People in Japan mark the beginning of a new year by paying special attention to the first time certain activities take place. From dreaming to bathing, writing haiku to hearing birdsong—these seemingly mundane actions set the tone for the coming year. Explore this section for ideas on how to start your Year of the Rabbit on the right foot.

First Dream of the New Year

If you want to have good luck in the coming year, make sure you dream about Mt. Fuji, a hawk, and an eggplant on the first night. This combination is lucky because Mount Fuji is Japan’s highest mountain, the hawk is a clever and strong bird, and the word for eggplant (nasu ) sounds the same as the word for achieving something great
(nasu ).

First Dream of the New Year
Mt. Fuji Stone, Susquehanna River, PA | Collection of Brian McCarthy

First Sunrise of the New Year
Sun-pattern Stone, China | Collection of Chris Cochrane
White Rabbit, Object Stone, Palm Springs, CA
Collection of American Viewing Stone Resource Center

First Blossom of the New Year
Plum-blossom Stone, Japan | Collection of Chris Cochrane

First Birdsong of the New Year
Sleeping Rabbit, Copan, Honduras | Collection of John Carlson

First Performance of the New Year

In the Japanese Noh Theater, the traditional dance of Okina (Divine Old Man) is performed only at the new year to invoke blessing and good fortune. The character in the title role wears a white, old-man mask while performing a slow dance based on ancient purification rites.

First Performance of the New Year
Shochikubai Ikebana by Sachiko Furlan

First Haiku of the New Year
Lop-eared Rabbit, Palm Springs, CA | Collection of Bonnie McGinnis

First Full Moon of the New Year
Moon-pattern Stone, Feather River, CA | Donated by Gilbert Hildebrandt

First Tea Ceremony of the New Year
Thatched-hut Stone, Washington State | Donated by Vincent Covello

Welcoming Spring

The plum tree declares the return of spring when its delicate flowers are among the first to appear in the new year. For this reason, plum blossoms symbolize hope and rebirth: The mountains will soon brighten with fresh green growth. Traditionally, the persevering plum joins pine (long life) and bamboo (resiliency) in arrangements that symbolize good luck. Celebrate spring’s arrival with budding branches in your home.

Early Spring
Mountain Stone, Democratic Republic of Congo | Donated by Ralph W. Johnson

Rabbits Revealed
Strawberry Rabbit, Trinity River, CA | Collection of Ken McLeod
Two Rabbits in One, Deer Creek, MD | Collection of Brian McCarthy

Rock Meets Paper
Grey Rabbit, Boise River, Idaho | Collection of Glenn Reusch

Joyful Leaping
Flying Rabbit, Chinese Desert Stone | Collection of Glenn Reusch

Late Spring
Mountain Stone, Eel River, CA | Donated by Richard Manning

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