The National Bonsai Foundation wishes you a
HAPPY WORLD BONSAI DAY 2024!
Nick Lenz’s “Penelope” (pictured) will be on special display at the Museum May 10-12, 2024.
“By nurturing a bonsai, we learn the essence and dignity of life.”
-Master Saburo kato
Originally started to honor Bonsai Master Saburo Kato's mission for peace through bonsai, World Bonsai Day is a cornerstone of the bonsai community. Bonsai is an opportunity to separate from the anxieties of the world – a chance for bonsai artists or admirers to collect their thoughts, practice mindfulness and find inner peace which they can then focus outward. We hope that during this time of war, violence and unrest in our human history, you have been able to find peace through bonsai and help spread it to the world.
CELEBRATE IN PERSON & ONLINE!
The National Bonsai Foundation is celebrating World Bonsai Day in person this year as part of the Potomac Bonsai Association Festival, in partnership with the U.S. National Arboretum. If you are in the Washington, D.C. area we hope you will join us at the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum on Saturday, May 11 and Sunday, May 12. Check out the event flyer and see the full schedule at the button below. For those of you too far away to join us or simply wish to celebrate virtually, we have created this page filled with content and activities for bonsai lovers of all ages! We hope you enjoy!
IT’S OFFICIAL!
Special this year, Mayor Muriel Bowser has issued an official proclamation marking May 11, 2024 World Bonsai Day in Washington, DC. Starting at 10:30am there will be an opening ceremony at the Exhibitions Gallery with Ben De Guzman, Director of the Mayor’s Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs, as well officials from The National Bonsai Foundation, U.S. National Arboretum and Potomac Bonsai Association, plus PBA's Festival Official Guest Artist Sergio Cuan. Join us!
WHILE YOU’RE HERE - VOTE FOR US!
EXPLORE BONSAI CONTENT BELOW
Simply click on the icons below to be carried to that section of the page.
Win an NBF Mug!
Win an NBF Mug!
Learn About World Bonsai Day &
Bonsai Around the World
Explore these blog entries from our Blog Archive dedicated to World Bonsai Day to learn more about the day’s history and the leaders behind it.
Explore these blog entries from our Blog Archive dedicated to bonsai around the world.
Wear Your Bonsai Pride
Shop our Commemorative World Bonsai Day T-Shirt
Available in many colors and sizes!
Shop Now!
Available in many colors and sizes! Shop Now!
To celebrate World Bonsai Day, the National Bonsai Foundation releases limited edition wearable items, adorned with select artwork each year. This year’s design, created by Aaron Stratten of the Potomac Bonsai Association, features a tree lovingly known as “Little Lonely Doug”, a powerful Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) styled by renowned American bonsai artist Bjorn Bjorholm. This tree made its way from the collections at Eisei-en Bonsai Garden in Nashville, TN and was donated in 2024 by Bjorn and Richard Le to the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum at the US National Arboretum in Washington, DC. Learn about its journey in the video below!
Remember World Bonsai Day 2024 with a shirt today! All proceeds go to support National Bonsai Foundation’s work to help support the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum.
Explore Photos from Our the Collections at The National Bonsai & Penjing Museum at the U.S. National Arboretum
Photographs by Stephen Voss
Read Voss’ blog entries about photographing bonsai.
Watch Documentaries
Enjoy these short documentaries on the history of the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum.
What better way to celebrate World Bonsai Day than by learning about the first public bonsai museum in the world?
Be sure to tune into Maryland Public Television Saturday, May 11 at 7pm ET for the premiere of the documentary, Bicentenial Bonsai: Emissaries of Peace by Paul Awad and Kathryn O'Sullivan. Learn more.
Bonsai Fly to USA: A Gift in Honor of the American BICENTENNIAL (1975/2016)
This documentary, originally shot on 16mm film and produced by the Nippon Bonsai Foundation in 1975 in Japan, tells the story of the journey of the 53 masterpiece bonsai from Japan to the United States in honor of the American Bicentennial. These treasured bonsai gifts were to become the beginning collection of the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum at the U.S. National Arboretum. This film was restored and digitized by the U.S. National Arboretum and the National Bonsai Foundation in 2016.
A Window into Nature: The National Bonsai & Penjing Museum (2016)
Enjoy this re-release of our informative documentary about the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum at the U.S. National Arboretum. The documentary features interviews with former Museum Curators Jim Hughes and Jack Sustic along with former NBF Executive Director Johann Klodzen, current NBF Co-President Felix Laughlin among others.
Prepare a Bonsai-Inspired Cocktail
Enjoy this recipe created by our friends at the miXt Food Hall in Brentwood, MD
BONSAI BLOSSOM
1 oz Roku Gin (Japanese gin)
1 oz Ste Germain
1 oz lemon juice
¾ oz raspberry syrup
¾ oz cherry syrup
Combine ingredients.
Pour over ice
Top with sparking wine.
Garnish with flower/or cherry.
Scavenger Hunt
As you find things on the list below, check it off! Have fun and try and use mindfulness as you explore.
Print out the image below (here) or save paper and simply pull it up on your phone as you head outside and explore your surroundings.
Celebrate Together with #WorldBonsaiDay2024
Be sure to join the conversation on social media by using #WorldBonsaiDay2024 and tag us in your posts!
Win an NBF Mug!
Enter your information below for a chance to win an NBF mug. Emails will be subscribed to our e-newsletter.
We will not share your email with anyone. Your email will be subscribed to our e-newsletter but you can unsubscribe at any time. If your email already exists on our list, you will not receive duplicates when you add your email now. Winners will be selected Friday, May 17 and winners will be emailed to claim their prize. Submissions will only be counted once.
Become a Bonsai Supporter
Please give today to support the world’s first and finest Bonsai museum.
The National Bonsai Foundation is honored to be a private partner with the U.S. National Arboretum to provide financial, programmatic and curatorial support to the U.S. National Arboretum’s National Bonsai & Penjing Museum. With your tax-deductible donation, you will help to preserve a history, protect a legacy and prepare a future for the Museum. Thank you!