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Articles
The size of a
Shohin-bonsai
Text: Morten Albek, photo: Higuchi
Takeshi
Basically a bonsai is a tree grown in a
pot; but there is more to it than just this. To make the tree in the pot a bonsai it must also have
aesthetic value.
Bonsai is divided into different sizes,
but it is only the Shohin and Mame-bonsai that really sets new standards for a specific group of bonsai.
The size of a Shohin-bonsai has been a
subject of many discussions over the years in the west. When the question of how big a Shohin or Mame-bonsai is allowed to be is brought up, the most
comfortable would be to present a exact measure so the questioner could go home with peace in mind, and measure his or hers trees to see if they fit
the rules. It isn’t that simple unfortunately; or maybe we should be pleased that everything isn’t that simple? It gives us the opportunity to
evaluate and use our creative part of the brain, taking time to study and feel the bonsai instead of just using a measuring tape. And it is one of the
relieving aspects of bonsai that not everybody has an exact answer; there may be no answers at all, or several answers for the same question at times.
An overview of the guiding sizes of the
smallest bonsai and their Japanese notation is listed here. Comparative to Shohin the bigger bonsai may be up to app. 100 cm / 39,3 inches in height.
Shohin-Bonsai includes Gafu-Bonsai,
Mame Bonsai, and mini-size Bonsai.
The measure must be taken from the rim
of the pot to the top of the tree.
Shohin-bonsai is less than 25 cm / 10 inches in height.
Mame Bonsai or bean-size bonsai is less than 10 centimetres / 4 inches in height.
Mini-bonsai is below 7.0 cm / 3 inches in height.
Occasionally on exhibitions, also the larger trees that are not quite
at Shohin size are exhibited. The group of bonsai categorized as Chuhin measures from 30 cm / 12 inches to 60 cm / 23 inches.
In Japan is registered a collection of very high quality
Shohin-bonsai, at the All Japan Shohin-Bonsai Association. Excellent Shohin-Bonsai and pots are
registered at Gafuten Yuga Collection, and in this case the 25 cm / 10 inches limited sizes are less important.
Basic guidelines of size
qualification
It is to mention that the sizes described here are only general and
basic guidelines, because there are no official and exact classifications regarding sizes. In the case of exhibitions it is the judges alone who
select the standards.
More important than exact measures is the feeling of the tree and its
size related to this feeling.
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