TOKYO, Feb 17 (News On Japan) –
Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, and their daughter, Princess Aiko, attended the “Kokufu Bonsai Exhibition” at an artwork museum in Ueno Park on Friday night, viewing the highest prize-winning “Shinpaku” juniper.
The Shinpaku, originating from Itoigawa in Niigata Prefecture, is estimated to be 400 years previous. The Emperor inquired concerning the judging standards for the “Kokufu Prize.”
Emperor Naruhito is understood to have been eager about bonsai since his junior highschool days.
It has been 18 years since Empress Masako final attended the “Kokufu Bonsai Exhibition,” and it was Princess Aiko’s first go to. Both had been seen eagerly bending down to look at the bonsai carefully, asking questions as they went.
Source: ANN