Kunio Kobayashi Explained

Kunio Kobayashi
Field:Bonsai
Birth Place:Tokyo, Japan
Birth Date:2 April 1948
Website:http://kunio-kobayashi.com/en/index.html
Native Name:小林國雄
Native Name Lang:ja

is a Japanese bonsai artist, and the owner of the Shunkaen Bonsai Museum in Tokyo.

Life

Kobayashi was born in Tokyo, Japan in 1948. His family was involved in floriculture,[1] and he grew up working in a nursery.[2] In 1976, at age 28, he saw a Japanese white pine bonsai in an exhibition and was inspired to study the art form. Now, over 200 apprentices and international students study under Kobayashi. He has also given lectures on bonsai in nearly twenty countries.

Shunkaen Bonsai Museum

See main article: Shunkaen Bonsai Museum. In 2002, Kobayashi opened the Shunkaen Bonsai Museum (Japanese: 春花園 BONSAI 美術館) in the Edogawa ward of Tokyo. The garden houses over 1,000 trees and attracts abouts 10,000 foreign visitors each year.[3] One of the garden's most famous trees is estimated to be 1,000 years old.[4] This tree, which Kobayashi acquired in an auction,[5] is considered by many to be the finest in his collection.

Awards

Kobayashi has won 10 awards at the Kokufu-ten exhibition, including four Prime Minister Awards (the highest honor). In addition, he has won the Koju-ten Taisho (first place), four Saikan-ten Prime Minister Awards, the Ministry of Agriculture Award, two Ministry of Education Awards, and numerous other awards and honors.[6]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Kunio Kobayashi, maestro japonés del bonsái: "Los bonsáis transmiten mucha energía". 2007-10-13. Diario Sur. es-ES. 2020-01-27.
  2. Web site: Bonsai Master Kunio Kobayashi. Greuner. Tabea. 2017-03-13. WAttention.com. en-US. 2020-01-27.
  3. News: Japan rediscovers joy of bonsai after tiny trees put down roots in global affections. Watanabe. Michio. 2015-05-07. The Japan Times Online. 2020-01-27. en-US. 0447-5763.
  4. Web site: Shunkaen Bonsai garden - Bonsai Empire. www.bonsaiempire.com. 2020-01-27.
  5. Web site: Bonsai masters: The ancient secrets behind their centuries-old trees. Kate . Springer. CNN. 6 December 2016 . en. 2020-01-27.
  6. Web site: Kunio Kobayashi - Bonsai Empire. www.bonsaiempire.com. 2020-01-27.