Our third installment of the US National Bonsai Exhibition wrap-up focuses on shohin. This year’s exhibit featured 120 of them!
If you’re interested in learning about shohin and shohin display, check out the note following the post about registering for next year’s Shohin School Winter Seminar.
6-tree display by John Kirby
Although it’s hard to see details in full-display photos, it’s relatively easy to consider the size and style of the trees, the shape and color of the containers, and the effectiveness of how the trees are arranged.
6-tree display by Gary Andes
5-tree display by Brian Hollowell
6-tree display by Melvyn Goldstein
One of the standout displays featured eight trees of the same species. While it’s common to feature a large number of mini-bonsai, it’s not as common for them all to be the same species.
Awesome 8-tree mini bonsai display by Suthin Sukosolvisit
Left-hand display stand
Center display table
Right hand display stand
In recent years, it’s become common to see alternative approaches to shohin display, whether with novel tree arrangements (as below) or with traditional arrangements but novel materials for the stands (the next display below that).
One thing I enjoy about novel approaches to shohin display is seeing which gain traction over time and which end up being one-offs as that’s a good measurement of community interest in given approach.
2-tree display by Pedro Morales
6-tree display with metal stands
We’ll touch on the topic of alternative shohin displays at next year’s Shohin School Winter Seminar. See details below.
Registration Open for Shohin School 2024 Winter Seminar!
Andrew Robson, Daisaku Nomoto, and I will host the second Shohin School Winter seminar at the Milwaukie Center, just south of Portland, Oregon, on January 26-27.
This year’s event will reinforce topics addressed at last year’s seminar and introduce new topics and a demonstration by Daisaku. As always, there will be opportunities to work on your trees, practice creating shohin displays, and shop from a great assortment of shohin vendors (the complete vendor list will be available soon).
On the day before the seminar, David Knittle is hosting a build-your-own stand workshop. The event is nearly sold-out, but I’ll be sure to post a note if additional space opens up.
Helpful links: