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Shohin display
and bonsai displaying
Front of the bonsai and
the three dimensional painting
All bonsai have a “front”. Bonsai is to compare with a
painting, and relates to the landscape paintings of Japan. Therefore a bonsai
have a front where it is best viewed, unlike sculptures which are viewed from
more sides.
The front may change after repotting or restyling i.e.
but always with the optimal front considered when these tasks are performed. The
way bonsai are displayed in a Tokonoma / alcove, is also closely related to the
landscape paintings. Therefore the expression and the mood of a bonsai display
is always is some extend related to the landscape painting, and time of year.
Even the time of the day may be considered. An evening mood with a low sun at a
scroll painting can suggest this, or the moon in the night gives the feeling of
the cool night e.g.
Even though a bonsai has a front it is possible to view
from other angles too, but still have a best position view. This means not that
the back of the tree is neglected because it adds depth and may be visible
through gaps between branches i.e.
The scroll (if used), and accents plantings, further adds
history to the main tree and its suggested location, environment, seasonal
approach e.g. What’s important when viewing a bonsai display is to perceive the
feeling the artist has tried to express. We may individually read the same
display in slightly different ways, but the basics will mostly be clearly
understood by all.
Shohin-bonsai are more focused on the seasonal theme than normal
bonsai displays.
Therefore flowers, berries i.e. are of importance, adding colour
and seasonal approach to the display scenery.
In this example a reference can be found to a non-Japanese water
colour painting from Europe
with some of the same elements. Although a different style
comparisons are clearly seen.
The landscape painting references
Having the landscape painting in mind when setting up a
bonsai display makes it easier to arrange, read and understand.
Referring to the landscape painting, is not only the way
trees, grasses, flowers, mountains i.e. can be used as elements through the use
of bonsai, accent plantings, Suiseki (viewing stones), scroll painting or
accessories, but also the empty space is an important feature. The empty space
is that extra element of the untold that is both present in the painting and the
bonsai display. The empty space expands the untold part of the story and the
imagination fills in the rest and adds the important peacefulness to the
picture.
This can all be done in a very modest and simple way,
like it can be done with a fuller image with more elements, but always with the
lightness and simplicity of the open spaces and landscape paintings elements in
mind.
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