Anatomy of a Shohin Display is reprinted by courtesy of Jonas Dupuich and Bonsai Tonight Anatomy of a shohin display
One of the first displays to catch my attention at this year’s Gafu-ten exhibit featured six trees and an accent plant.
![](https://bonsai.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/c9537e28-5c76-4feb-a5c8-f198ada0fcca.jpg)
Award-winning display at the 2019 Gafu-ten held in Kyoto, Japan
Unlike the display of larger bonsai, shohin display entails complex relationships among all of the trees in the composition. As the number of trees in a display increases, the complexity of the display also increases. A lot of this complexity arises from the convention of providing contrast in a display. Displaying different species together is one of many forms of possible contrast. A list of the most basic forms of contrast in a shohin display might include:
- Different species
- Different styles
- Different pot colours
- Different pot shapes
- Different stands
The arrangement of display elements offers another layer of complexity.
- Aim to display trees that are relatively equivalent in size
- Aim to display each tree at a different level
- Aim to display trees without leaves next to trees with leaves
- Ensure each pair of trees on a shelf point toward each other
- Ensure the top tree and the tree off to one side point toward each other
The display above does a great job meeting each of these criteria. On top of that, each tree is a great example of its species.
![](https://bonsai.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/95442feb-071a-488a-88f9-d45552bb30c7.jpg)
Black pine in a tiny unglazed pot
![](https://bonsai.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/115ef433-3f4d-410e-82c1-ecef26d052d6.jpg)
Chojubai with swirling exposed roots
![](https://bonsai.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/20643f20-38ce-4847-8dd1-230f81790d9f.jpg)
Dwarf jasmine with full silhouette and dense branching
![](https://bonsai.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/c248fe13-5bd9-4b95-a485-462621bd4687.jpg)
Kinzu full of ripe fruit
![](https://bonsai.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/50c54015-2126-4d1d-82b9-ae7b35550b2e.jpg)
Trident maple with incredible branch ramification and interesting roots
![](https://bonsai.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/474d30cb-0577-4381-8f5f-fa88132543c4.jpg)
An attractive accent to denote the season – selaginella and pyrrosia
After spending a few minutes studying this display, I reminded myself that I was in a room full of such displays. More highlights from the 2019 Gafu-ten coming up next week.
Should you wish to see more, follow the links below:
Combining elements to balance shohin displays
Alternatives to box displays
Shohin judging categories
Roy Minarai pots at Gafu-ten pot competition