Articles

Shohin-bonsai pots

Size and colour
 

Sometimes a Shohin-bonsai is planted in a pot that might seem too big for the tree in the pot.

Normally the pots must fit the size of the tree if exhibition is the issue.  

In training periods it is though very acceptable to let the small trees grow in bigger containers than the ones used for exhibitions. This will give the Shohin-bonsai time to regain strength, and keep them healthy. Therefore it is absolute advisable to use oversized containers in development periods, as well as for pre-bonsai (Potensai).

Before an exhibition, one can prepare a tree settled in a too big container by repotting it into a qualified exhibition pot, and this includes a pot having the right size. This must of course be done at the right time in spring, securing the tree will not suffer from the repotting, and with good timing so that the tree will be at highest level when the exhibition runs.

It is essential that there is perfect harmony between pot and tree, when exhibiting a Shohin-bonsai, as it is the case for the bigger trees in pots. Therefore size of tree and pot must be in harmony.

The bright or colourful pots used in some Shohin set-ups must be in balance with the tree, and the overall expression. The pots must not take away the harmony of the set-up and the trees exhibited. Each Shohin-bonsai are individually judged at exhibitions, together with the very important overall expression of the display.

The chosen pots can in the overall expression help to underline the theme of the display, where the main focus is on the time of year. Mood is added to the display by the use of hanging scroll, small display tables and by the use of pots. Pots can be underlining the mood when the artist uses clearer colours in a summer exhibition with more flowering species used than in a winter display, where too coloured pots could be disturbing the feeling of wintertime.

In a winter display darker colours will be appropriate to give the audience the feeling of wintertime together with the choice of scroll, trees and accent plants.

It is also important to mention, that the suggested landscape or area of the display has a role in displaying Shohin-bonsai.

Therefore a low land presentation can use brighter colours to suggest the brightness of a low land setting with grasses and maybe a lake nearby, including the hanging scroll, that is a part of a traditional Shohin display, furthermore supporting this.

In the end it all depends on the expression that the artist wants to add, and therefore the above is primarily guidelines to help presenting Shohin-bonsai at a display set-up.

Satsuki Azalea in exhibition quality pot by Kimiko, Japan.