News Discussion

Rare Bonsai Collection Shines at Osaka Expo Grounds

From May 19 to 22, the Expo 2025 Japanese Bonsai and Suiseki Exhibition brought together a stunning array of bonsai at the Osaka-Kansai Expo site.

Roughly 130 prized specimens from across Japan were on display. Among them was Yoroikake no Matsu (Armor-Hanging Pine), a black pine once treasured by Tokugawa Yoshinobu. Yoshinobu was the 15th and final shogun of the Edo period.

As bonsai garners growing interest overseas, the exhibit drew a large number of international visitors.

Standing approximately 120 centimeters tall, Yoroikake no Matsu was the tallest tree in the collection. It captivated audiences with its powerful presence. According to the exhibition's organizing committee, global interest in bonsai surged following its appearance at Expo '70 in Osaka. This year, a few of those same bonsai made a rare return to public display.

In recent years, bonsai has seen a surge in popularity among young people around the world. In 2023, Japan's bonsai exports reached ¥920 million JPY (approximately $6.3 million USD, nearly double the figure from 2019.

Bo Pett, 29, who traveled from Australia to visit the exhibition, said his attraction to bonsai began through Japanese pop culture. He described bonsai as a fascinating and powerful cultural tradition, and mentioned that he had bought a pot and pruning tools with plans to try it at home.

"We hope this exhibition helps spread the appeal of bonsai culture," said Hiroki Miura, chair of the exhibition committee.

1. 1. array　（展示品などを）並べる、集める
   The hotel buffet had an array of main dishes from different cultures.
2. 2. specimen　（展示や研究用の）標本、見本
   On my professor’s desk is a beautiful specimen of amethyst.
3. 3. draw　（人・関心などを）引きつける、集める
   The comic convention drew over two hundred thousand visitors this year.
4. 4. presence　存在感、雰囲気
   The presence of the captain helped the nervous passenger to relax.
5. 5. prune　（枝などを）剪定する
   You should prune trees in the very early spring before the weather starts to heat up.

1. 1. What special tree was on display at the bonsai exhibition?
2. 2. How do we know that bonsai is getting more popular?
3. 3. How did Australian Bo Pett get interested in bonsai?
4. 4. Why do you think so many people are interested in bonsai? What is the appeal?
5. 5. What kinds of skills and abilities do you need to raise a bonsai tree properly?

大阪・関西万博で、豪華絢爛な盆栽を集めた「EXPO2025日本盆栽・水石展」が5月19日から22日までの4日間、開かれた。江戸幕府15代将軍、徳川慶喜が愛した黒松「鎧（よろい）掛けの松」をはじめ、全国から集めた名品約130席を展示。盆栽は近年、海外での人気も高まっており、会場には多くの外国人が訪れた。

「鎧掛けの松」は高さ約120センチと作品の中で群を抜いて大きく、みる人を圧倒。同展実行委員会によると、盆栽は1970年大阪万博での展示をきっかけに海外からも注目が集まった。今回は70年万博で展示された盆栽が再びお目見えしている。

海外では近年、若者にも盆栽ブームが広がり、2023年の輸出額は9億2千万円と19年から約2倍となった。

オーストラリアから来日し、会場を訪れたボウ・ペットさん（29）は日本のポップカルチャーをきっかけに盆栽が好きになったといい、「盆栽はとても興味深い文化で迫力がある。鉢や剪定（せんてい）用具を購入したので、自宅で盆栽にチャレンジしたい」と話した。

同実行委の三浦裕貴委員長は「この展覧会で盆栽文化の裾野をより広げるきっかけとなれば」と期待を語った。