A few weeks ago, Andrew Robson and I hosted the first Shohin School seminar at the Milwaukie Center in Milwaukie, Oregon.

The two-day event focused on shohin display (Saturday) and development (Sunday). Our special guest for the weekend was shohin professional Daisaku Nomoto from Miyazaki, Japan.

(All photos are courtesy Aki Yamakawa – thanks, Aki!)

Special guest Daisaku Nomoto with hosts Jonas and Andrew

Daisaku led the group through good and bad examples of Japanese displays to offer an idea of what makes good displays tick.

Daisaku breaking down a shohin display from a recent Gafu-ten exhibit

Participants then got a chance to create their own displays with stands provided for the exercise.

Participants’ trees

Once the the displays were set up, Daisaku provided critiques and offered suggestions for improvement.

Mini bonsai display

Reid introducing a group display

Daisaku instructing Thing (John Eads) about scroll display height

Scott introducing a group display

Between sessions, participants shopped from vendors Vicki Chamberlain, John Eads, Mary Lai, Nao Tokutake, Andrew Robson, Daisaku Nomoto, and Bonsai Tonight.

Tokutake Bonsai

Daisaku’s booth

The day wrapped up with dinner and drinks at local food truck emporium Corner 14.

Sunday’s focus was on recognizing and developing quality shohin bonsai. The morning featured an evaluation exercise in which participants scored trees and learned what characteristics to look for in different species.

Evaluation exercise

After lunch, Andrew and I provided tips for shohin care and development and reviewed strategies for building a shohin collection. The seminar ended with a bring-your-own tree workshop.

Andrew and I answer questions about shohin care and development

Daisaku working on a shimpaku juniper
(photo from Friday open house at Andrew Robson’s garden)

Participant feedback has been positive and Andrew, Daisaku, and I had a fantastic time – so much so that we’re planning to do it again next January (see the Shohin School website for details)!

In the meantime, check out the following video from the event by Momiji-En Bonsai & Garden.