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Articles
Acer palmatum, Mame-bonsai Height: 7cm / 3 inches
what is a shohin-bonsai?
Text and photos: Morten Albek
Shohin is the
Japanese word for “a-tiny-thing.” And one can then ask them
selves how to define the measures or visual weight of a tiny
thing?
Yes, it is a case
to be discussed, but none the less, there is set up some
standard rules, in order to better understand the measures.
And in order to be apple to make directions of rules when it
comes to shows and competitions.
The basic rules
are demanding that the Shohin-bonsai may not be higher than
20cm when measured from rim of the pot, to the top of the
tree.
But, at the same
time it has to be said, that these measures and rules, has
to be taken with a bit of laciness.
The main "rule" is
that you must be able to hold the tree Shohin-bonsai in one
hand, and it has to express the beauty of a little thing.
Shohin size
The exact measure
of the height of the tree is then less important, but it is
difficult to achieve the feeling of a one hand bonsai that
is higher than 25 cm / 10 inches.
What decides a Shohin to be a Shohin is the height of the tree, measured from the rim of the pot.
This is almost regardless how wide the tree is. A tree being app. 21 cm high and 30 cm wide is still considered as a Shohin. The height decides.
Mame size
At the same time,
it seems like Shohin can’t be small enough. The expression
of a small Mame that is less than 10cm / 4 inches in height can be a
stunning sight, when it transforms the picture of a mature
big tree in the viewers mind.
All together, a
Shohin-bonsai in its expression has to be a tiny thing.
Shohin-bonsai 20 cm in
height or smaller.
Mame Bonsai or bean-size bonsai is 10
centimetres in maximum height or lower, which includes
Mini-size Bonsai.
The sizes
described here are guidelines, and in the case of
exhibitions it is the judges that select the standards.
Wafu
A paradoxical matter in the understanding
of Shohin is the fact, that a Shohin can override the rules
of heights, as in the case of a very slim tree. In the case
of a very valuable tree, with great artistic expression and
age, it is possible to forget the 20 cm/ 8 inches limit of
a trees height.
The so-called Wafu category, which covers
the very appreciated and valuable small trees of Japan, is not
concerning with the measures. The most important thing here
is just to have the impression of a tiny tree. And that
includes the possibility to be able to hold the tree in just
one hand.
Details
A Shohin-bonsai can be made in the same
styles and forms as bigger bonsais. Every thing is just
scaled down, to be and made in a more simple and suggestive
manner.
But it certainly demands a very high
level of precision by the artist when arranging branches,
forming dead wood etc.
Just a few misplaced branches or leaves,
can affect the harmonious picture, and might spoil the
impression and visualization of a big tree. In stead it will
show a simple plant in a pot.
All together the up summing of
experiences with the detailed work with Shohin-bonsais can
be converted into refining the work at bigger bonsais. In
this way the small trees learns the big ones to increase in
quality.
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