National Bonsai Museum in Northeast Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
If trees could talk…
… this one would tell a remarkable tale. Since the 17th century, five generations of the Yamaki family tended this tree in Japan. Noted bonsai artists, the Yamakis lived in Hiroshima, where an outdoor nursery filled with priceless trees was attached to their home.
On the morning of August 6, 1945, the Yamaki family and their bonsai survived the United States' atomic bombing of Hiroshima. Thirty years later, bonsai master Masuru Yamaki offered this tree, one of his oldest and most precious, as part of a gift from the people of Japan to the people of the United States in honor of America's 200th birthday.
Today, this remarkable tree and symbol of good will and friendship welcome visitors to the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum. Here it does what bonsai are meant to do: speak to each of us in a very personal way.
Erected by U.S. Department of the Agriculture.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Horticulture & Forestry • Peace • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Historic Trees series list. A significant historical date for this entry is August 6, 1945.
Location. 38° 54.73′ N, 76° 58.138′ W. Marker is in Northeast Washington
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Timeless Trees (a few steps from this marker); Branching Out (within shouting distance of this marker); "There are no borders in bonsai…" (within shouting distance of this marker); Ellen Gordon Allen (within shouting distance of this marker); Bonsai Pioneer (within shouting distance of this marker); National Bonsai & Pensing Museum (within shouting distance of this marker); Rosmarinus officinalis (within shouting distance of this marker); An Art Form Is Born (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northeast Washington.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has replaced the linked marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 2, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 93 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 2, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
