World Bonsai Day

World Bonsai Day 2025

A celebration of community, living art, and the spirit of bonsai

What an awesome turnout: We estimate that more than 8,000 people joined the Potomac Bonsai Association Festival and World Bonsai Day!

We were thrilled to support PBA as they hosted yet another incredible annual festival. All weekend long, the grounds of the U.S. National Arboretum buzzed with activity, joy, and curiosity. Guests explored the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum, watched awe-inspiring bonsai demonstrations, sipped tea in honor of the Yamaki Pine, participated in hands-on workshops, browsed vendors, found their next bonsai project... and celebrated the art of bonsai together.

As Museum Curator Michael James reflected, the scale and spirit of the event was inspiring. "It was amazing to see the Museum honored by the presence of thousands of visitors from all walks of life," he said. "World Bonsai Day gave us a chance to show how deeply this art form connects people across cultures and generations."

L to R: Aaron Stratten, past president of the Potomac Bonsai Association; Ambassador James Zumwalt, Chairman, Japan-America Society; Ambassador Shigeo Yamada, the Ambassador of Japan; Dr. Richard Olsen, Center Director of the U.S. National Arboretum; Michael James, Curator, National Bonsai & Penjing Museum; Ben de Guzman, Director, Mayor’s Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs

This year we celebrated the 400th anniversary of the Yamaki Pine, also known as the Peace Tree, which stands as a powerful symbol of resilience, peace, and friendship. We marked the occasion with a formal tea toast led by Dr. Richard Olsen, Center Director of the U.S. National Arboretum, and Ambassador Shigeo Yamada, the Ambassador of Japan. This meaningful recognition added a moment of elegance and quiet reflection to a busy, joy-filled day. We are grateful for the specialty Japanese tea service provided by local DC shop Teaism.

L to R: Dr. Richard Olsen, Center Director of the U.S. National Arboretum; Le Ann Duling, President, Potomac Bonsai Association; Ambassador Shigeo Yamada, the Ambassador of Japan; Ambassador James Zumwalt, Chairman, Japan-America Society; Michael James, Curator, National Bonsai & Penjing Museum; Ben de Guzman, Director, Mayor’s Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs

Alongside Dr. Olsen and the Ambassador, we were honored to welcome a remarkable group of speakers and special guests whose presence elevated the spirit and significance of the event:

  • Ambassador James Zumwalt, Chairman, Japan-America Society

  • Ben de Guzman, Director, Mayor’s Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs

  • Le Ann Duling, President, Potomac Bonsai Association

  • Aaron Stratten, Immediate Past President, Potomac Bonsai Association

  • Michael James, Curator, National Bonsai & Penjing Museum

We are deeply grateful to them for joining us this year to share their thoughtful reflections on the art and practice of bonsai around the world.

Aaron Stratten and expert guest artist Andrew Robson of Rakuyo Bonsai

Guy Guidry of NOLA Bonsai

The weekend featured engaging, expert-led workshops that drew large, enthusiastic crowds. Our special guest artists, Guy Guidry and Andrew Robson, brought decades of experience and a passion for sharing the art of bonsai. Guidry, known for his bold, expressive styling, demonstrated dramatic transformations that captivated onlookers. Robson, a rising leader in American bonsai, focused on naturalistic approaches to deciduous trees, blending tradition with innovation. Attendees learned both foundational skills and advanced techniques, and many walked away with fresh inspiration and new perspectives.

Sandra Moore reads from her book about the Yamaki Pine.

Sandra Moore, author of The Peace Tree from Hiroshima, joined us as well, sharing the story of the Yamaki Pine with families and young visitors. Her engaging presence and thoughtful readings helped connect the history of this remarkable tree to new generations, reinforcing the themes of peace, resilience, and cross-cultural friendship at the heart of World Bonsai Day.

Museum Volunteer and Docent Phillip Merrit

This festival simply wouldn’t be possible without the dedicated volunteers from PBA, who showed up in full force. Members from Brookside Bonsai Society, Maryland Bonsai Association, Northern Virginia Bonsai Society, and Richmond Bonsai Society helped make the entire weekend run smoothly—with visitor guidance, knowledgeable advice, and hands-on event support.

We also welcomed friends from Baltimore Bonsai Club, the Potomac Viewing Stone Group, and even a full busload of members from the Pennsylvania Bonsai Society, one of the oldest bonsai organizations in the United States. We are so appreciative that they made the trip to celebrate with us! Dan Angelucci and Ross Campbell from the National Bonsai Foundation’s Board of Directors were also in attendance, and we're grateful for their leadership.

A family enjoys World Bonsai Day at the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum.

Le Ann Duling, President of PBA, noted that everyone went above and beyond, highlighting how vital our regional clubs and members are to making this festival possible. "Everyone did more than their jobs," she said. "This was a powerful reminder of the strength of our community—and how much we can accomplish when PBA clubs come together."

Grillmaster BBQ serves visitors at World Bonsai Day.

A heartfelt thank you to the food trucks that kept our guests fueled and smiling throughout the weekend: GrillMaster BBQ, Taco Dirty to Me, DC Slices, Blossom Bakery, and Captain Cookie. Their presence helped make the day deliciously memorable.

Workshop participants at World Bonsai Day

World Bonsai Day reminds us that bonsai is more than an art form—it’s a living tradition that brings people together across generations and cultures. The day was founded in honor of bonsai master Saburo Kato, who taught that bonsai no kokoro, or the spirit of bonsai, is rooted in peace, respect, and shared connection. The PBA Festival showed that this spirit is alive and well.

Thank you to the honored guests, expert artists, dedicated volunteers, helpful partners, and curious visitors who made the weekend so unforgettable! We’re honored to celebrate the beauty, tradition, and future of bonsai with all of you.

Save the Date: World Bonsai Day - May 8, 2021

Join our celebration!

May 8, 2021

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Bonsai is an opportunity to separate from the anxieties of the world – a chance for bonsai artists or those admiring trees to pause, collect and practice mindfulness.

In many ways, we have been operating with this same mentality throughout the global pandemic. This extra time has given us the space to reflect on what truly matters, engage with nature and reconnect with people in new ways.

To maintain the health and safety of National Bonsai & Penjing Museum staff and visitors, the National Bonsai Foundation will be celebrating World Bonsai Day 2021 online again this year. Read on for details about the festivities!

What is World Bonsai Day?

The World Bonsai Friendship Federation established this international day of celebration to pay homage to bonsai Master Saburo Kato's mission to promote peace and friendship through the art of bonsai. The day is celebrated on the second Saturday of May each year, which this year is May 8th!

NBF's online celebration

On World Bonsai Day, head to bonsai-nbf.org for tons of activities, videos and gifts! Here's a sneak peek of what we have in store:

- World Bonsai Day trivia

- Greetings & garden tours from bonsai collections around the world

- An at-home World Bonsai Day scavenger hunt

- Bonsai & floral origami lessons

- Zoom backgrounds & phone wallpapers featuring gorgeous scenes from the Museum

- Delicious food & drink recipes

We'll also share social media posts with #WorldBonsaiDay2021, so start posting now!

Enter our contest to win this bonsai book!

We're gifting THREE signed copies of Ann McClellan's Bonsai and Penjing book to help people connect with bonsai and the Museum and celebrate World Bonsai Day! For details on how to enter, read our post on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter.

World Bonsai Day’s Impact Around the World

World Bonsai Day was Saturday, May 9 this year and although we couldn’t celebrate in person, we certainly all celebrated together. If you missed the virtual celebration, click here. Check out the record-breaking numbers of engagement we saw on our website and social media on World Bonsai Day alone:

  • 1,000+ website visits

  • 16,000+ Facebook accounts reached

  • 70+ posts used #WorldBonsaiDay or #WorldBonsaiDay2020

  • 179,000 social media users that saw posts with #WorldBonsaiDay and #WorldBonsaiDay2020.

A History of World Bonsai Day: Around the Globe and at the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum

This tokonoma display was featured in the 2017 World Bonsai Day celebration. Spot the World Bonsai Friendship Federation logo on the scroll in the background!

This tokonoma display was featured in the 2017 World Bonsai Day celebration. Spot the World Bonsai Friendship Federation logo on the scroll in the background!

When Master Saburo Kato gave a moving speech at the International World Bonsai Convention in Hawaii in 1980, he emphasized the idea of “bonsai no kokoro,” or the “spirit of bonsai.” National Bonsai Foundation Co-Presidents Jack Sustic and Felix Laughlin said the Japanese term expresses the idea that practicing the art and horticulture of bonsai raises one’s awareness of the beauty and fragility of nature and opens up one’s consciousness to the wonders of the natural world.

Then-assistant curator Aarin Packard and intern Danny Coffey lead a demonstration at the 2013 World Bonsai Day celebration.

Then-assistant curator Aarin Packard and intern Danny Coffey lead a demonstration at the 2013 World Bonsai Day celebration.

 Kato would go on to repeat this sentiment in many speeches, inspiring bonsai artists around the globe. In Japan in 1989, he co-founded with John Naka and Ted Tsukiyama the World Bonsai Friendship Federation (WBFF), which exists to bring peace and camaraderie to the world through bonsai. 

 “Kato believed from the bottom of his heart that more peace would exist in the world if everybody practiced the art of bonsai,” Sustic said. 

 After Kato passed in 2008, WBFF established an international day of celebration called World Bonsai Day to pay homage to Kato and his efforts to promote peace and friendship through bonsai. The first event was held in 2010, and the day is now celebrated on the second Saturday of May each year, around the time of Kato’s birthday, May 15. 

Sustic said the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum and U.S. National Arboretum generally celebrate the day with demonstrations, tours of the Museum and a special display of one of Kato’s trees. Some years the Museum raffles off the tree volunteers work on during the festivities. Sustic said the most memorable part of World Bonsai Day for him is seeing the excitement and amazement on the face of the person who wins that tree.

“Hopefully that leads to another person doing bonsai who otherwise wouldn't be doing bonsai or would never have been introduced in the first place,” he said. 

Laughlin said WBFF established centers around the globe to link public collections together, and a criterion for centers is to recognize World Bonsai Day.

 “Some people who first get into bonsai might think it's just a hobby, but it has a much deeper meaning,” Laughlin said. “In celebrating Saburo Kato's legacy, we're reaffirming what it truly means to practice bonsai. Kato really was such a great person, poet and teacher, and he could put the meaning of bonsai into words better than anyone else.” 

Former curator and current NBF Co-President Jack Sustic leads a tour in the upper courtyard at the 2015 World Bonsai Day celebration.

Former curator and current NBF Co-President Jack Sustic leads a tour in the upper courtyard at the 2015 World Bonsai Day celebration.

Museum Curator Michael James said the most memorable World Bonsai Day celebration for him was when he and Museum volunteers spent the day working on a forest planting donated by NBF Honorary Director Chase Rosade. He said the group’s goal was to incorporate Kato’s concepts and principles of forest plantings into the design. 

The National Bonsai Foundation translated Kato’s book, “Forest, Rock Planting and Ezo Spruce Bonsai,” into English and published it in 2001.

Rosade had arranged zelkova seedlings he brought home from Japan into a forest planting. The groupings are planted in odd-numbered groups of three or five and up to 17 to emulate the spontaneity of how seeds are dropped and grow in a naturally occuring forest. But Rosade’s grouping had so many zelkova that the arrangement appeared symmetrical and planned.

Saburo Kato stands next to one of his famous forest plantings at his nursery Mansei-en in Omiya, Japan.

Saburo Kato stands next to one of his famous forest plantings at his nursery Mansei-en in Omiya, Japan.

In the public demonstration for that year’s World Bonsai Day, volunteers removed seedlings to thin the forest, accentuate the primary trees and emulate the randomness that occurs in nature – a concept Kato developed and taught about. 

“Kato was a total master of forest arrangements and compositions,” James said. 

Last year’s World Bonsai Day attendees gathered to watch Bonsai Master Michael Hagedorn direct work on five Museum trees in the Arboretum’s auditorium.

Last year’s World Bonsai Day attendees gathered to watch Bonsai Master Michael Hagedorn direct work on five Museum trees in the Arboretum’s auditorium.

James added that the celebration helps promote international camaraderie around an activity generally recognized as a solitary endeavor between the practitioner and the tree. World Bonsai Day is not only enjoyable for that person practicing by themselves, but it brings them together with everyone else who enjoys it,” he said. “When you enjoy doing bonsai, it’s only natural to want to spend and appreciate it with other friends.”


NBF is glad we could share World Bonsai Day with you this year. Use #WorldBonsaiDay2020 and tag us in the photos you post on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter to help us encourage unity and peace. 

Now, test your knowledge with World Bonsai Day Trivia!