Sister Museum Announcement with The U.S. National Arboretum’s National Bonsai & Penjing Museum
On August 5th, 2019, The Omiya Bonsai Art Museum became a sister museum to The U.S. National Arboretum’s National Bonsai & Penjing Museum, which is a leading U.S. bonsai institution.
The signing of the “Sister Museums Declaration” was done at the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum in Washington D.C. by Saitama City Mayor Hayato Shimizu and the U.S. National Arboretum Director Dr. Richard T. Olsen.
The declaration was signed in front of the Yamaki Pine, the symbol of the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum. This bonsai is a Japanese white pine given by Hiroshima’s Masaru Yamaki. It is known throughout America as a bonsai which survived the Hiroshima atomic bombing.
After the signing, there were speeches from both Director Olsen and Mayor Shimizu, as well as a message full of anticipation about the partnership from Felix B. Laughlin, representative of the National Bonsai Foundation.
Mayor Shimizu was also presented with a relief plaque by Director Olsen. This plaque was created by sculptor Kiyomi Sakaguchi and was presented with the hope that through bonsai, the two institutions will continue their international relations and that the people of both nations will continue to love bonsai.
The National Bonsai Foundation website
https://www.bonsai-nbf.org/
U.S. National Arboretum website
https://www.usna.usda.gov/
U.S. National Arboretum Director Olsen (left) and Saitama City Mayor Hayato Shimizu (right) Handshaking at the Signing Ceremony
Sister Museum Commemorative Relief Plaque
Felix B. Laughlin, representative of the National Bonsai Foundation
During the lunch meeting after the signing, Takehiro Shimada, Minister of the Embassy of Japan in the United States, gave a strong congratulatory address, stating his hopes for further American and Japanese cultural relations through bonsai and the will of Japan to give further support.
At the end of the ceremony Omiya Bonsai Art Museum Curator Taguchi gave a commemorative presentation about the history of Japanese bonsai.
Takehiro Shimada, Envoy of the Embassy of Japan in the United States
Commemorative Presentation by Omiya Bonsai Art Museum Curator Taguchi
This became a historical moment, sealing their promise to grow closer through the culture of bonsai.
Sister Museum Declaration Celebration Cake
Finally, a commemorative photo with all of the main attendees
【National Bonsai & Penjing Museum】
The National Bonsai & Penjing Museum is located in Washington D.C and is ran by the U.S. National Arboretum.
The U.S. National Arboretum is a vast arboretum with over 1.8 km of land and receives over 600,000 guests from around the world every tear.
The National Bonsai & Penjing Museum was established in 1976 when the Nippon Bonsai Association donated 53 bonsai to celebrate 200 years since the founding of the United States of America.
The National Bonsai & Penjing Museum
The National Bonsai & Penjing Museum
