The Pacific Bonsai Museum is excited to announce the acquisition of the historic Domoto Trident Maple to its collection in Federal Way. On long-term loan to the museum since 1990, the Domoto family have now generously donated the tree to the museum.

The Domoto Trident Maple has a long and resilient history. It originally came to the United States from Japan for the Panama Pacific International Exposition held in San Francisco in 1915. It sat proudly on the verandah of the Formosa Tea House and at the conclusion of the fair was purchased by Kanetaro Domoto, owner of the local Domoto Brothers Nursery.

Domoto and his brothers immigrated to the United States from Japan in the mid-1880s and established one of the first commercial nurseries in northern California. As interest in exotic plants grew, so did the Domoto Brothers Nursery. By 1902 they were running the first large scale nursery in the United States.

The tree would remain with the Domoto family for the next seven-and-half decades, together weathering the hardships of the Great Depression and World War II. Only in 1990, when he was unable to climb a ladder to prune the tree, did Domoto’s son Toichi loan the tree to the newly established Pacific Rim Bonsai Collection.

Now, the third generation of Domotos to own the maple, has graciously gifted it to the museum.

“On the 100th anniversary of the Panama-Pacific International Exposition it seems fitting that we are once again celebrating this magnificent tree,” said Executive Director, Kathy McCabe. “We are grateful to receive such a historic and culturally significant gift. The museum is honored to carry forward the Domoto family legacy and looks forward to sharing its story with visitors for years to come.”

Feb. 20 marked the 100th anniversary of the Panama-Pacific International Exposition and still the Domoto Trident Maple sits proudly for all to admire.

The Domoto Trident Maple is part of the Pacific Bonsai Museum’s permanent collection and can be viewed Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., every third Thursday, October through February and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. March through September.

“Bonsai is a generational art,” explained Aarin Packard, Museum Curator. “I am honored to add my link to the chain of those who have nurtured this tree for over a hundred years. Through this donation the “Domoto Maple” will continue to inspire our visitors and serve as a touchstone for future generations.”

The Pacific Bonsai Museum features a rotating collection of over 100 world-class bonsai from around the globe. Free and open to the public six days a week, this cultural gem offers contemporary and traditional bonsai exhibits, group tours, education and special events.

The Pacific Bonsai Museum is located at 2515 S. 336th St., Federal Way. For more information, call 253-353-7345 or visit pacificbonsaimuseum.org.