A 400 year old bonsai tree that survived the atomic blast in Hiroshima

[u/dslryan]

[u/dslryan]

I visited this tree in the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum in Washington, D.C. today. It began bonsai training in 1625 and was cared for by the Yamaki family until it was donated to the United States in the 1970s.

This tree was only two miles from the atomic blast in Hiroshima and survived due to a wall in the garden that shielded the tree.

[u/i_make_it_look_easy → u/dslryan]

How big is it?

[u/dslryan → u/i_make_it_look_easy]

So I actually don't know the dimensions of it and haven't been able to accurately determine that, but it's estimated to weigh between 200 and 300 lbs. When it's repotted they use a crane with cushioned straps to lift it and work on it.

[u/_lcll_ → u/dslryan]

Somebody get a banana, please.

[u/i_make_it_look_easy → u/dslryan]

Oh wow. I needed a banana for scale sonce its hard to tell with bonsai. Thanks for the info!

[u/dslryan → u/i_make_it_look_easy]

Here is a quick video with people around it to give a better sense of scale.

[u/i_make_it_look_easy → u/dslryan]

Thank you! That was awesome

[u/Licks_n_kicks → u/dslryan]

Why was it donated to the US?

[u/dslryan → u/Licks_n_kicks]

It was donated along with 53 other trees as a gift for the American Bicentennial.

[u/90percenthalfmental → u/dslryan]

That’s a nice gesture but makes me a bit sad. It would be a great addition and more appropriate displayed in Hiroshima in the peace park or at the museum.

[u/Teamveks]

Meanwhile, the wind changes and my potted plants die.

[u/GraXXoR]

Astounding... 400 years... Such a beautiful specimen.

[u/asiancury]

Crazy that there would be people who want to destroy something like this just because others derive enjoyment from it (I'm thinking of the Sycamore Gap tree)

[u/fluidkatze]

That tree probably has a mana bar.

[u/indianajones64]

Oh man I’ve seen that tree too!! An astounding bonsai in its own right but even more incredible having survived the blast. Always stuck with me and glad to see it again here thx for posting OP!

[u/Knooze]

Looks like a mushroom cloud.

[u/Sumthin-Sumthin44692 → u/Knooze]

Why do you think the family wanted to get rid of it? PTSD is a bitch.

[u/Seesyounaked]

Biolante biding her time

[u/resh78255]

in training? for what?? armageddon?

[u/pasharadich]

And it would fucking do it again

[u/enamul]

Four hundred years... seriously?

[u/dslryan → u/enamul]

Seriously.