This tokonoma with its spectacular scroll, is from Daiza Iwasaki’s house in Japan. A more cropped version of this photo appears in Morten Albek’s book, Majesty in Miniature, Shohin Bonsai. The original completely uncropped photo is below.
Bonsai display
I don’t think too many people pay very close attention to bonsai display. I’m sure there are some who do, but judging from countless photos on facebook and elsewhere, display isn’t a major concern for most people (especially outside of Japan).
Relationships
Display is a lot about the relationship of the elements. Though I’m far from an expert on the subject, there are a couple things that stand out for me in the photo above: The scroll and tree are playing peekaboo in a way that might cause you to feel that they are part of the same mountain scene. Also, with the way it is leaning and the movement of the foliage, the tree leads you into the scroll. The flowering companion below could be a wild flower part way up the mountain (notice how it is just off center). I’ll leave reflections on the vase and all the rest up to you.
Majesty in Miniature
Majesty in Miniature, Shohin Bonsai, Morten Albek’s comprehensive book on the subject of small bonsai (Stone Lantern Publishing), goes into bonsai display in some detail. Actually, Morten sent us a lot more detail, but we thought a 1,000 page book wouldn’t appeal to most people, so, sadly, numerous photos and some text had to be left out.
Scrolls
Though there’s plenty more to say about scrolls and display, for now we’ll just recommend Morten’s book. Or, if you’re ambitious and are interested in making your own, we just put up a new book: How to Make Handmade Wall Scrolls, by Jonathan Maples.
Morten’s original uncropped photo gives you a little glimpse into a part of a Japanese house.