We visited the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum at the National Arboretum, reputed to hold one of the finest collections of miniature masterpieces in North America, with bonsai originating from Japan and penjing from China. For a description of penjing, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penjing

I don’t want to bore people with countless pictures of bonsai so will try to intersperse with other images taken that day, and just post the ones I found most interesting.

A sign below this bonsai says about its creator, John Naka, who donated his masterpiece of Chinese juniper to the museum in 1984: “In 1988 the consul general of Japan bestowed the name Goshin, meaning “Protector of the Spirit,” on this forest. John Naka’s inspiration for Goshin was from the ancient forests of Japan and Northern California. Each of the 11 trees in this forest represents one of John’s grandchildren. Up until his passing in 2004, John made annual visits to the museum to see his old friend. Because of its unique beauty and beloved artist, Goshin is known as one of the best bonsai in the world.”

Exotic opening, posted earlier: