Three Point Display Question

[Tidal Bonsai]

Hello Nuts,

I am trying to put together a three point display, and I had a question. Usually in three point display, I see a main tree (chuhin/Kifu size), a receiving tree (Shohin size), and an accent that is usually placed next to the receiving tree. Is this because the receiving tree balances the main tree, and the accent balances the receiving tree? Any explanations/resources would be greatly appreciated. I am sure @Adair M would have something to say about it ?

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

The “why” you are describing has more to do with visual flow and movement within and throughout the display. Somewhere, one of the Jonas or Michael posts deals with 3-point displays. I’ll look for it and add a few examples later.

 

[Adair M]

Three point displays usually feature smaller trees. Larger than Shohin, but not really large enough to stand on their own.

So, they are usually similiar in size.

When showing a large tree, a Shohin can be used as an accent. Or, a kusomoto can be used.

A true 3point display features two more equal (visually) trees. So that one doesn’t dominate over the other. The accent plant helps create the triangle. Usually one tree is placed on a taller stand than the other.

 

[Tidal Bonsai]

Thank you both for the help! I know you two have displayed at a high level multiple times, so I appreciate the lesson. I have only participated in low pressure club shows, but I always try to push myself to put on the best display I can with my time/means.

 

[Tidal Bonsai]

Three point displays usually feature smaller trees. Larger than Shohin, but not really large enough to stand on their own.

So, they are usually similiar in size.

When showing a large tree, a Shohin can be used as an accent. Or, a kusomoto can be used.

A true 3point display features two more equal (visually) trees. So that one doesn’t dominate over the other. The accent plant helps create the triangle. Usually one tree is placed on a taller stand than the other.

It seems like to my untrained eye that there is a fair amount of difference in size between the two trees. Is this just the optical illusion that is created by the difference in stand height?

https://bonsaitonight.com/2011/02/01/three-point-displays/

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Here are a couple more links to look at. I’m not blown away with that 3-point show you linked above, but Jonas always has good insight and taste.
https://www.sandiegobonsaiclub.com/shohin/january-22nd-2017
https://www.bonsainut.com/threads/3-point-display.36205/
These images are from a book on Shohin trees published about 15 years ago. Interestingly, nearly all the accents nod to the higher tree. Higher trees suggest mountains, and so usually pines and junipers are used high, and deciduous trees are positioned lower.

 

[Tidal Bonsai]

I am toying with a juniper and a boxwood, both around 10 inches from the top of the pot to the apex. The juniper will be on a tall stand, and the boxwood will be on the low. Both aren’t in ideal pots, and both aren’t “finished.” Basically the accent placement is up to my discretion... I think it could work... The show is on June 2

 

[Adair M]

It seems like to my untrained eye that there is a fair amount of difference in size between the two trees. Is this just the optical illusion that is created by the difference in stand height?

https://bonsaitonight.com/2011/02/01/three-point-displays/

Yeah, those are not actually the best examples of 3 points. It’s better to look at the Kokofu books.

I saw that post by Jonas, and while they’re “not bad”, if you really want to learn how to do it better, study Kokofu.

Brian’s examples were of Shohin

These are from Kokofu, number 70:



Some of these show some size variation, for the most part the two trees are pretty much the same size. (This were the first 5 I came across, thumbing thru the book.)

 

[Adair M]

Here’s one that does have one larger and one smaller tree. I think they placed the accent closer to the smaller tree to increase the “visual mass” to equal the larger tree.

 

[Adair M]

My observation is that when the two trees are pretty much equal in visual weight, the accent is placed pretty much in the center between the two trees.

Trees on very tall stands often have the accent placed near the tall stand.

Tree combos featuring an evergreen and a bare deciduous tend to have the accent placed near the bare deciduous in order to balance the visual weight, and bring your eye towards the bare tree.

These are just my observations of looking at the Kokofu books.

 

[Tidal Bonsai]

Thank you all! This helps me a lot!!!

 

[Tidal Bonsai]

I was playing around with this display, what do you guys think? Remember, this is a club show that is supposed to show the hobby in its many phases. The bamboo mat is what I liked best, but I also have a light brown stand that can raise the boxwood up about an inch. I already know they aren’t:

1. In correct pots
2. The stands aren’t very traditional
3. They are both a bit shaggy
4. They aren’t mossed

How else do you think I did, and what accent do you like the best? The tall one is dwarf mondo grass, and the low one is wild NJ radioactive wild moss ?.

 

[Tidal Bonsai]

No opinions, the show is tomorrow ?

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

No opinions, the show is tomorrow ?

If you can’t change the pots or stands, what opinions are you seeking? The moss is the more appropriately-sized accent. You may want to move the accent a bit farther away from the leg of the stand. Definitely moss the soil, and clean up the foliage pads, clean and lightly shine the pots. Also, try putting the juniper on the right. All the foliage is moving left, so it might help with visual movement, but it’s hard to tell because the foliage is still messy.

If you want a critique of the display as it sits, I would offer one, but I am a snob, and you may not appreciate my rather traditional view...and you may not have the time or options to address anything I see. Your call.

 

[Tidal Bonsai]

If you can’t change the pots or stands, what opinions are you seeking? The moss is the more appropriately-sized accent. You may want to move the accent a bit farther away from the leg of the stand. Definitely moss the soil, and clean up the foliage pads, clean and lightly shine the pots. Also, try putting the juniper on the right. All the foliage is moving left, so it might help with visual movement, but it’s hard to tell because the foliage is still messy.

If you want a critique of the display as it sits, I would offer one, but I am a snob, and you may not appreciate my rather traditional view...and you may not have the time or options to address anything I see. Your call.

I totally understand, and appreciate your input! I started working on tidying up the foliage and getting the pots ready yesterday (moss and cleanup/oil). It it interesting that you say to move the juniper to the right, I will have to play with that!

This is not a high end show, so I am not going to make pottery moves that will risk the health of the tree. As I said previously, the point of the show is to show off the hobby and gain interest.

 

[LanceMac10]

I like the idea of moving the juniper to the right. And moving the accent out and towards the front.
Boxwood and mat seem too "heavy" when paired with the more "light" aspects of your display.
Maybe just the Juniper and the moss as a display?


Perhaps in the future you might repot the Juniper with the deadwood more vertical and wire movement to the left. Tree structure now kind of leads in two different directions. What's it called, ten-jin?
A lighter crafted container whould make that nice little boxwood really pop!


Nice to put your work out there, enjoy the show!!!

 

[Adair M]

No opinions, the show is tomorrow ?

Not a fan of the mat. Trees should be on tables (stands).

The other thing that doesn’t work for me is there is too much repetition of round pots. Both trees appear to be in round pots. There’s a round stand, the accents are in round pots, (or appear to be round). Both tree’s pots have roughly the same shape. There’s just too much of the same thing going on.

Frankly, I think it would look better as two separate displays! Or maybe you can find another club member and use one of his trees and he use one of yours to create 3 point displays.

 

[Tidal Bonsai]

In the back of my mind, I was thinking that these two trees may be better separate than together (even though they both are only about 9 inches tall). Thanks for getting the wheels turning! To simplify the display, this is what I was playing with instead:

P.S. Adair/Lance, you were 100% right about repetition and container choices. I have a wood fired square-ish free form waiting for the Parsons, and a smaller oval waiting for the boxwood next season! The accent is actually a square (which is hard to see in pictures). I changed the angle of the accent to make it appear more square by having one of the points in the front.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Do you plan to tidy up the foliage of the juniper? At a minimum, clean up the undersides and the weak straggly growth outside the profile. The rectangle stand is better than the round, but it’s still too big.

 

[LanceMac10]

Much improved to my eye. Toss up at this point, but the lower table is too much so I would use the first one. I like the position/interplay with the scroll with the big table, but the table feels too heavy.

I make my bed up tight in the morning so that wrinkled spread on the table is freaking me out!!!!