OTTAWA, Ont. – September 6, 2006 - The Japanese Embassy is again hosting the Ottawa Bonsai Society's (OBS) Annual Show on September 9 -10, 2006 in the auditorium of the Embassy, 255 Sussex Drive from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Approximately 40 trees of different species, sizes and styles will be on display. Admission is free.

His Excellency Sadaaki Numata, Ambassador of Japan to Canada will open the exhibition at 11 a.m. Saturday. Matt Yakabuski, co-ordinator of the OBS exhibition observes "The association with the Japanese Embassy to show these works of art has been very successful. They have been very supportive of the OBS, and the auditorium is distinctive and an exceptional backdrop for our trees,"

This is the fourth year that the Embassy has hosted this event. A collected Eastern White Cedar, recently styled by visiting bonsai artist and lecturer, Michael Persiano at a public demonstration at the Embassy, will be on display at this year’s show.

As usual, OBS members will be on hand to provide insight into the horticultural and artistic aspects of growing these beautiful miniature trees in pots. This exhibition will interest the curious through to the experienced bonsai practitioner. Attendance remains high from year to year. Most visitors are drawn from eastern Ontario and western Quebec, with a very welcome sprinkling of fellow enthusiasts from other bonsai societies.

Anyone with interest, time and a little space, can become a bonsai enthusiast and collector. Bonsai generally requires a bit more care and attention than houseplants. However, with the proper care and nurturing they can last for many years. Some bonsai are passed on from one generation to the next, admired for their age and beauty and serve as a reminder of the people who have cared for them previously.

Translated literally from Japanese, bonsai means "tray or pot" (bon) and "plant or tree" (sai). But this ancient art form, whose origins and early development are traced back to both China and Japan, is much more than that. Bonsai (pronounced "bone-sigh") is the name that is given to a beautiful tree grown in a complementary container. Unlike other art forms, the uniqueness and challenge of bonsai results from the fact that the medium used to create these "three dimensional sculptures" is both alive and growing. This means that the work of the bonsai artist is constantly evolving to maintain the tree's health and aesthetic quality.

The Ottawa Bonsai Society established in 1984, is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the interest and understanding of the bonsai art form. The focal point of the OBS is our monthly meeting held at Building 72 - Central Experimental Farm (Arboretum), the 3rd Monday of the month at 7:00 p.m. This monthly meeting provides OBS members with an excellent forum to exchange ideas, techniques, and experiences relating to bonsai. Further information can be found at www.ottawabonsai.org

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NOTE TO MEDIA: Bonsai pictures are available for your publication at the OBS website in the "Gallery" section.

Ottawa Bonsai Society, Vianney Leduc, (w) (819) 994 6973, (h) (819) 827-3384, vianney.leduc@nlc-bnc.ca

Embassy of Japan, Information and Culture Section, (613) 241-8541, infocul@embjapan.ca

Ottawa Bonsai Society, http://www.ottawabonsai.org

Embassy of Japan, http://www.ca.emb-japan.go.jp/2004/CultureEducation/Bonsai05.html