In 2012, I was told by the British couple, the Coopers, who were visiting Japan at the time, about a remarkable annual bonsai exhibition held in Belgium, said to be one of the largest in Europe. They told us that outstanding bonsai from across Europe were brought together there, making it a festival well worth seeing.
Two years later, in 2014, my wife and I finally had the opportunity to visit the exhibition we had long been looking forward to seeing.
We were overwhelmed by the sight of bonsai featuring species rarely seen at exhibitions in Japan, such as European birch, cork oak, and olive trees, displayed one after another, as well as by the uniquely European approach to branch development, which places greater emphasis on expressing the natural form of the tree. At the same time, we became deeply drawn to the distinctive forms of expression found in European bonsai.
Despite being busy with the exhibition, the Coopers kindly showed us around the venue. Thanks to them, we were able to fully enjoy the atmosphere of the entire event, from the lively sales booths to the lunch gathering. I am truly grateful to them for taking the time to do so. And above all, what made us happiest was seeing the Coopers receive the top award in the Shohin Bonsai category.
ヨーロッパ最大級の盆栽展示会がベルギーで毎年開催されていて、ヨーロッパ各国からすばらしい盆栽が集まる、一見する価値のある祭典があると、日本を訪れていたイギリスのCooper夫妻から教えていただいたのが2012年でした。
念願だったこの展示会を夫婦で実際に訪れる機会が巡ってきたのは、1年をはさんだ2014年になります。
ヨーロッパダケカンバやコルク、オリーブなど、日本の展示ではあまり見かけない樹種の盆栽がずらりと並ぶ光景と、自然樹形をより意識したヨーロッパならではの枝づくりに圧倒されながら、ヨーロッパの盆栽が持つ独自の表現に強く惹かれていきました。
お忙しい中、Cooper夫妻には会場を案内していただき、にぎやかな販売ブースやランチ会場など、展示会全体の雰囲気を楽しむことができたことを、本当にありがたく思っています。そして何より嬉しかったのは、今回、Cooper夫妻が小品盆栽部門で最優秀賞を受賞されたことでした。