Last Updated: August 20, 2024
The Gafu-ten is the largest and most prestigious small-size bonsai exhibition held in Japan and probably the world. A group of bonsai professionals formed the Zenkoku Shōhin Bonsai Kumiai (National Shōhin Bonsai Guild). They organised their 1st shōhin exhibition and named it Nihon Shōhin Bonsai Meihinten (Japan Shōhin Bonsai Masterpieces). The Zenkoku Shōhin Bonsai Kumiai appointed the All Japan Shōhin-Bonsai Association -- established in 1986 with one of its founders being the legendary Zeko Nakamura -- to organise its 12th shohin exhibition. The exhibition changed its name to Gafu-ten, and since then the names of the association and Gafu Ten remain the same. Shōhin (shouhin) are miniature bonsai up to 20 cm high, and here include the tiny mame-sized bonsai that can be no more than 7 cm high. Each year, about 200 trees are included in this four-day exhibit. It is held in the ancient capital of Kyoto at the Miyako Messe. There are about 60 shōhin bonsai clubs called "Nintei-kai" all over Japan which are authorized as the brotherhood of Shōhin Bonsai by the Association, which itself is the country's largest group of professional and amateur shōhin aficionados. The Nippon Bonsai Association and the Nippon Shōhin Bonsai Association based in Tokyo, some 230 miles/370 km to the northeast, support this exhibit, as well as Kyoto City and the Kyoto Shimbun. The terms "Mame" and "Shito" are NOT used in this exhibition. The term "Mini Bonsai" is used here, in two size categories. The display registration fee is $400 per composition. There are 15 different categories in the exhibition: 1) Box stand display table size over 71 cm/28" ; 2) Box stand display table size up to 70 cm/27"; 3) Box stand display table up to 60 cm/24" ; and 4) Box stand display table under 50 cm/20". These first four categories include 6 or 7 trees. 5) Display compositions with hanging scrolls; 6) Mini size bonsai below 10 cm/4" ; 7) Mini-size bonsai below 7 cm/3" ; 8) Club displays; 9) Satsuki azaleas; 10) Suiseki; 11) Container displays; 12) Kifu-size bonsai 21-35 cm/8-14" ; 13) Chuhin-size bonsai 35-45 cm/14-18" ; 14) Original display concepts; and 15) Literati-style bonsai. At the 2020 exhibition, there were 118 exhibit areas full of mame, shohin and chuhin-size bonsai compositions. There are 535 individual bonsai in this show, not counting accessory plantings. Most were three-point displays, however there were a great number of box stand display tables exhibited. A couple only featured a single small bonsai. There were six special display areas, some with larger bonsai and a long wall had the 6th World Shōhin Bonsai Photo Award contest which displayed 11 photos of bonsai submitted by foreigners. A developmental display featured ten small bonsai in training with multiple old photos showing how they were trained. It was quite interesting to see how the artists used their techniques to create great bonsai. Six displays only featured fine-quality containers by the ceramic artists, including Gyozan (Yukizyou Nakano), the most famous and popular bonsai potter working today. There were 35 different awards, with the Prime Minister's Award being the top prize. The special display of Registered Important Masterpiece containers were all in clear plexi-glass boxes. Matt Ouwinga from Maryland had four of his rare and antique pots similarly displayed. An area was set up for short demos and even workshops. Like at most exhibitions, an extensive sales area -- here equal in size to the exhibit space -- provides an opportunity for people to purchase shōhin plants and accompanying equipment, supplies and materials. An amazing and beautiful array of comparable-sized pots, stands, and figures are available for sale. This is the most popular area of the event. Most foreigners go past the bonsai exhibition upon entry and head directly to the sales area. Nearly anything one needs or wants for bonsai creation, training or appreciation can be found here, except for collected trees. A few items are quite inexpensive, but most are on the higher end because many Japanese spend more than foreigners on their hobby. Inside the sales area one can find a good-sized quick-eating corner where hot food, sandwiches and bento boxes can be inexpensively purchased and enjoyed there. Near the entrance to the sales area, a TV was playing a great video on shohin bonsai. Once inside a layout sign with the names of the 50 plus vendors are listed so one can find what one is looking for. The two other main shōhin shows in Japan are Osaka's late March Shunga-ten and Tokyo's early November Shuga-ten.
A commemorative photo album of each year's exhibit is published in the Spring. During the set-up of the January show, three photographers from Kinbon magazine shoot all the bonsai for the album. Each composition is carefully placed on the photo stage and checked with snapshots for exact placement. Every album cover is silver-gray with gold calligraphy. The Gafu-ten is held in the Kyoto International Exhibition Hall, aka Miyako Messe, 9-1 Seishoji-cho, in the Okazaki area of eastern Kyoto. This is just down the street from the Heian Shrine. Miyako Messe is a complex of halls that includes the Japan Design Museum. The Museum of Traditional Crafts is located in the basement and houses displays and videos of Kyoto's crafts and craftsmen. (Around 1980 the venue used was a large two-story brick building with poor lighting.) The Gafu-ten admission price is now up to ¥1000 (currently about 6.53 USD or 6.12 Euro), from the previous amount of ¥800. The Taikan-ten is held at the same venue in November.
NOTES: "The Best Bonsai and Suiseki Exhibits in Japan" by Thomas S. Elias, originally on pg. 12 (of pp. 10-14 article) of the May/June 2002 issue of Bonsai Clubs International's Bonsai Magazine; Facebook post and Facebook post by Bonsai Monogatari, January 8, 2018; No. 3 album image from Facebook post by Bonsai Monogatari, January 27, 2020; No. 43 album image from Bonsai Plaza, listed as No. 40, but as pointed out by WNV in email to RJB, actually for 43rd album; Email from WNV to RJB also correcting a spelling, 12-20-20; 50th poster from Facebook post by Tomohiro Masumi, April 9, 2024; Several album sizes per Bonsai Tonight Online Store, Gafu-ten Exhibit Books; "2020 45th Gafu Ten Shohin Bonsai Exhibition - Part 1" by William N. Valavanis, January 10, 2020, including entrance image; "2020 45th Gafu Ten Shohin Bonsai Exhibition - Part 2" by William N. Valavanis, January 11, 2020, including shohin in training image; "2020 45th Gafu Ten Shohin Bonsai Exhibition - Part 3" by William N. Valavanis, January 11, 2020; "A Little Magic With Shohin Bonsai, Part 20 -- Gafu Ten Shohin Bonsai Exhibition" by John Romano, International Bonsai, 2013/No. 1, pg. 28;
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