The Washington Post Quotes Felix Laughlin on Donated 390-Year-Old Bonsai Tree That Survived Atomic Bomb

The Washington Post spoke with Felix B. Laughlin on the Japanese white pine bonsai tree donated in 1976 by Masaru Yamaki to the United States for its 1976 bicentennial. The tree survived the blast of the atomic bomb dropped over Hiroshima, Japan during World War II. The National Bonsai and Penjing Museum, where Mr. Laughlin is President, is honoring the 390-year-old tree this week for the 70th anniversary of the Hiroshima bombing, but visitors can also see the tree as part of the museum's permanent collection throughout the year. For the complete article, please visit The Washington Post's website. For more information on the tree's history please visit The National Bonsai and Penjing Museum's website.

Excerpt taken from the article.

"I find it amazing that Masaru Yamaki could give a priceless bonsai basically to his enemy and not say a word about it," said Felix Laughlin, president of the nonprofit National Bonsai Foundation. "I get emotional just talking about it."