The stately "Imperial Pine" is the only bonsai ever to leave the Japanese Emperor's collection, and it resides at the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum at the U.S. National Arboretum in Washington, DC.  Listen to the behind-the-scenes story about how it got there during a key moment in diplomatic history between Japan and the United States. Guests Kathleen Emerson-Dell Curator of Exhibitions National Bonsai and Penjing Museum U.S. National Arboretum www.usna.usda.gov Michael James Curator National Bonsai and Penjing Museum U.S. National Arboretum www.usna.usda.gov Consulting Editor David Still II Music Diccon Lee, www.deeleetree.com Artwork Dahn Hiuni, www.dahnhiuni.com/home Website thisoldtree.show Follow on Facebook or Instagram We want to hear about the favorite tree in your life! To submit a ~3 minute audio story for consideration for the "Tree Story Short” segment on This Old Tree, record the story on your phone’s voice memo app and email to: [email protected] This episode was written in part at LitArts RI, a community organization and co-working space that supports Rhode Island's creators. litartsri.org