1. Sho-hin is a part of the bonsai-world.

Beside the large bonsai and the midsize, we also have these small trees with a maximum height of 21 cm, measured from the pot edge.

Some other known sub-divisions in this mini world are:

- Keishi Tsubo: 2.5 cm

- Shiton: 2.5 - 8 cm

- Mame: 8 - 15 cm

- Katade: 15 - 25 cm

2. In the world of sho-hin, very other rules are applied in comparison with normal bonsai.

- Sho-hin rules are less tight.

If we talk about bonsai, we talk about a first branch left, second branch right, depth branch etc... This is not always possible with sho-hin, since we have a restricted length. Sho-hin are often built with only 1 branch. (although nowadays this also happens with normal bonsai)

- The level of difficulty is set higher.

Sho-hin have a limited number of branches, so you have you less possibilities in hiding certain flaws. When a branch dies, the complete tree can be ruined, or nevertheless, in a lot of cases, you will lose years of work. With a larger tree this void can often be solved by another branch.

Even if we have to use less wire than with the larger bonsai, it is much harder to wire these small trees, because you have to be very careful not to break the fine branches of a sho-hin.

The watering of sho-hin demands more time, since these small trees are potted in small pots, and will dry out much faster.

- In sho-hin, the nebari are less important.

- The branch structure is also less important.

Sho-hin are more judged on their general form, then on their refined branches. Only with the broom-style, the branch structure should be equal to its larger brothers.

- In the world of sho-hin, the use of glazed pots is allowed for conifers.

3. Display

Generally, on an exhibition sho-hin are displayed on a special stand - in fact they are presented as an exhibition in an exhibition. But sometimes you can see a very beautiful sho-hin presented on a simple table, accompanied with a smaller sho-hin or an accent planting.

- Usually such a display has four asymmetrical compartments, arranged for 3 or 5 trees. If one has more trees to display (for example 7), then he should place two of these on a slab or a smaller table beside the normal display. If one uses a lower table with a larger display stand, it should preferably have been made with the same wood as the bigger stand, and also preferably with the same structure. Also, the height of this table cannot be higher than the lowest legger of the display-stand.

- A display always counts an odd number of the same objects. (for example 3 trees, 3 suiseki or 3 accent plantings). However, if you use suiseki (viewing stones), accent plantings or tenpai (bronze sculptures) in a sho-hin display, then there is a rule to only use one of them. (For example 3 sho-hin, 1 suiseki and 1 accent planting.)

- A display must be aesthetically beautiful and in balance.

- There should be depth in it.

- A display should not be monotone, you can not place a few trees of the same species and style in the same display, except if they have another style (For example: 2 Acer buergerianum - 1 moyogi and 1 planted on a rock) Then it is allowed to use the same species in a display.

- Another very important point is the placement of the trees according to their species.

Trees should be placed in a display, just as you would find them in nature.

- On the top-legger of the display: pines or also mountain-suiseki.

- Just below the top-legger: Trees with many jins and shari or cascade trees.

- Then Junipers or deciduous trees.

- On the lowest legger: landscape trees or grasses or small tenpai.

- When we link the visual centre points of the trees with imagined lines, there always must arise an un-isosceles triangle.

- When we use a table or slab beside the main display-stand, you can not place it on the same line as the main display, but somewhere in front (to the left of the right), so depth impact arises.

- When it appears that two trees have the same height on a display-legger, one should use a small table for one of those two trees, so an unevenness in height arises.

4. Summary of some points of interest.

- Always try to achieve un-isosceles triangles in your display. It brings rest in your composition.

- Always use an odd number of trees or objects.

- The trees placed on the left should tend with their crown to the right, and the trees placed on the right, should have their crown tending to the left.

- Never use two trees of the same species, unless they all are of the same species. If so, use different styles.

- Never use deciduous trees on top of a display.

- Create depth.

- Take care of unevennesses by using small tables.

- Give sho-hin space.

- Use accent plantings in proportion with the tree.

- Never use too many accent plantings. This creates chaos in your composition.

- Remove wires or hide them.

- Don't use one kind off moss, use variation in moss-species.

- You can use other things than accent plantings, like bronze sculptures, small fruit, etc.

- Never use pots with the same colour or form in one display.

5. Conclusion

From my own experience, I want to add this:

- Sho-hin can be very beautiful. If you see those small and stocky trees, which radiate so much old age..

- Sho-hin are easily movable. No heavy pots and no neighbours needed to carry something from one place to another.

- But if you have the intention to exhibit, you have to know you should have many already good small trees to build a beautiful display. Because of each species you want to use, you must have a tree, which is on that moment perfectly in shape, with the correct size and with foliage in the correct direction. Not an easy task!

6. Example of a good sho-hin display.