Kunio Kobayashi was born in 1948 into a large family of five siblings. As a child, he helped his father, a gardener, sell flowers and work on the farm. He graduated from a municipal horticulture school and took over the family business. At the age of 28, he was impressed by a bonsai exhibition at the 8th Japan Professional Growers' Exhibition. From this experience, he decided to dedicate himself fully to the world of bonsai.
In Japan, many people begin their bonsai journey after graduating from high school. However, the routine of working with bonsai, which can require up to 15 hours a day, seven days a week, often discourages those who dream of becoming masters of this art. Kunio Kobayashi, however, worked hard from childhood to make bonsai his passion and his profession. For this reason, at the age of 40, in 1989, he received the highest honor in bonsai in Japan: the Prime Minister's Prize.
After receiving his first award, his motivation to create even better bonsai only grew. He was awarded the Prime Minister's Prize again in 1992, 1999, and 2001, bringing his total to four official recognitions. Furthermore, his work was awarded the Kokufu Prize eleven times at the Kokufu Bonsai Exhibition, Japan's most prestigious exhibition, and the Grand Prize six times at the Koju Ten Exhibition.
Kunio Kobayashi created the Shunkaen Bonsai Museum, a special place to admire his works, which welcomes hundreds of visitors from around the world. At his museum, he dedicated himself to promoting the art of Keido, the traditional presentation of bonsai and other elements in a Tokonoma. Master Kobayashi learned this exquisite art as a disciple of Ichiu Katayama and is today one of Japan's most renowned Keido masters.
Since then, the number of his lectures and demonstrations abroad has increased so significantly that by 2020, Master Kobayashi had visited more than 30 countries on over 200 trips. He has also dedicated himself to educating domestic and international students, teaching more than 100 students from 20 different countries.
Remarkably, many people from across Asia have sought to hone their bonsai skills, becoming true "Bonsai Masters," dedicating their lives to the pursuit of perfection in this art, just like Kunio Kobayashi. His life journey has provided him with vast knowledge and experience, and he lives by the following principles:
- Truly love bonsai.
- Understand the physiology of plants.
- Improve your technique daily.
- Develop your artistic sense every day.
- Never forget to maintain an honest attitude.
- Look around you and cultivate your curiosity.
- Always say “thank you” and be humble.
