Asia-Pacific Region
Korea
Korea has a very long bonsai history. The art was introduced from China to Korea in the era of Silla about 1,600 years ago. During the Koguryo era, 600-1,000 years ago, bonsai potted in Korean-made containers were depicted in old drawings. During the Lee dynasty, the art became very popular and was mentioned in Chinese poetry. In Korea, there are many bonsai organizations in addition to the Korea Bonsai Association. Heading the list is the Korea Bonsai Cultural Art Association, followed by other amateur groups. There is also a professional organization called the Korea Bonsai Union, which produces a high quality of bonsai famously known as Korean Specialties, such as the Cydonia sinensis and Carpinus turczaninovii.
Success of the 3rd World Bonsai Convention
The Korean Bonsai Association was designated to host, and Korea decided as the venue for the 3rd World Bonsai Convention at the WBFF board meeting held in Sydney in 1996. Such a great world convention was the first to be held in Korea with the Korean Bonsai Association.
At the opening ceremony, Mr. Lee, the secretary of the Dept. of Forestry, attended to give his remarks. 700 participants from 20 countries were warmly welcomed by the people belonging to Korean Bonsai. During the convention, Mr. Lee Chul-ho, the president of the Korean Bonsai Association, did his own demonstration and Mr. Saburo Kato with a team of leading Japanese bonsai lecturers created a large pine forest. Participants were very much interested in the demonstrations and workshops.
During the stage show after the ceremony, Korean traditional music and drum dancing were performed to foster friendship and to welcome all participants. People from overseas were very much impressed by 220 typical Korean bonsai displayed during the convention. An exhibition on the history of bonsai in Korea was also enjoyed by enthusiasts from around the world.
In spite of an insufficient preparation period, Mr. Lee actively publicized Korea's first worldwide bonsai convention. Its success was achieved by the people in the Korean bonsai world, and they should be praised for their devotion to development and friendship.
It was very sad to learn of Mr. Lee's sudden death on April 9, 1998, only six months after the convention, from a heart attack. His death dealt a serious blow to the bonsai society in Korea.
The 4th Asia Pacific Bonsai and Suiseki Convention and Exhibition
The Asia Pacific Bonsai and Suiseki Convention and Exhibition was held for
the sake of development of bonsai techniques and friendship among Asian
countries. The first convention was held in Bali, Indonesia, through the
devoted efforts of Mr. Ismail Saleh, S.H., the leader and founder of ASPAC.
Since then, this convention has been held in different countries in Asia
every two years.
The 4th ASPAC Convention was sponsored by the Association of Landscape and Gardening of Shanghai and the Shanghai Botanical Garden, and held from October 31 to November 2, 1997, in Shanghai, China.
The ASPAC convention was first held in China, the origin of the art of bonsai. At this convention, there were 400 participants from 20 countries and regions including Japan, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, India, Taiwan, the United States, Australia, Italy, Germany, and Peru, who came to enjoy the art of bonsai in China.
The 5th Asia Pacific Bonsai and Suiseki Exhibition and Convention in 1999
During the 4th ASPAC representative meeting, Taiwan was chosen as the venue for the 5th Asia Pacific Bonsai and Suiseki Exhibition and Convention in 1999, because of the great interest from the many enthusiasts in Taiwan. The bonsai movement has spread all over Taiwan and bonsai enthusiasts there have been anxious to hold the convention for many years.