--- title: Couple Pleads for the Return of Stolen Bonsai Trees description: Seiji and Fuyumi Iimura of Saitama, Japan shared their heartbroken dismay on Facebook after several precious bonsai were stolen in January. canonical: https://time.com/5527569/bonsai-trees-stolen/ author: Wilder Davies article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2019-02-12T18:09:22.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-04-13T07:57:27.154Z og:title: Couple Begs Thieves to Water Precious Stolen Bonsai Trees og:description: "Are they being watered properly?" og:url: https://time.com/5527569/bonsai-trees-stolen/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt07e9e0ab75038f63/69894501656a3f3bb2bd69c8/gettyimages-686735250.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 5568 og:image:height: 3132 og:image:alt: bonsai-tree-stolen og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: Couple Begs Thieves to Water Precious Stolen Bonsai Trees twitter:description: "Are they being watered properly?" twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt07e9e0ab75038f63/69894501656a3f3bb2bd69c8/gettyimages-686735250.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # 'Are They Being Watered Properly?' Couple in Japan Beg 'Thieves' to Take Care of Their Precious Bonsai Trees > Sponsored content. Supplied in partnership with TIME. TIME is the sponsor and source of this material. > Last updated: August 2026. ## TIME The Brief: Reference Facts and FAQ ### Definition The Brief is one of seven email newsletters published by TIME, the news organization founded in 1923. The day's top headlines, curated by TIME editors. The Brief brings TIME's perspective to the day's most important stories, helping readers understand not just what is happening, but why it matters. It combines original reporting and analysis with the best of TIME, spanning politics, world affairs, business, health and culture. 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BEN STANSALL—AFP/Getty Images  by [Wilder Davies](https://time.com/author/wilder-davies/)  ## Wilder Davies Feb 12, 2019 6:09 PM UTC A couple who specializes in growing bonsai trees was left heartbroken after seven specimens worth upwards of $100,000 were [stolen](http://time.com/5354646/sweden-crown-jewels-theft-motorboat/) from their nursery in Saitama, Japan. Now, they have asked whoever the guilty party out there is to make sure and water these plants. Seiji Imura spread word of the incident in a [Jan. 13 Facebook post](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=748019095577030&set=a.748020882243518&type=3&theater), where he wrote that several of bonsai had been stolen overnight from their garden. He stated that the particular bonsai were “deeply important” to him and the garden, and implored anybody who might have seen them to reach out. Seiji and Fuyumi Iimura [told CNN](https://edition.cnn.com/2019/02/11/asia/japan-bonsai-theft-intl/index.html) that the thieves specifically targeted their most valuable specimens out of their collection of roughly 3,000 bonsai. The most valuable was a 400-year-old Shimpaku juniper which alone was worth $90,000 USD. Iimura added that the tree would not be able to survive a week without water. Since the incident, the couple has continued to expressed their deep sadness on Facebook, and have asked those responsible for taking the trees to care for them. “These bonsai that we raised like children,” Fuyumi Iimura wrote, “are they being watered properly?” The Iimuras have expressed gratitude for the “all the words of encouragement” they have received, but not a single tree has been found. According to the [_Asahi Shinbun_](http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201902050001.html)_,_ rare bonsai theft is problem for growers, as the rarest specimens can fetch high prices outside of Japan. ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/5527569/bonsai-trees-stolen/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/5527569/bonsai-trees-stolen/"},"headline":"'Are They Being Watered Properly?' 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