fall toko display

the theme set by the scroll: the coming of a blood moon. The scarecrow, a fall, yet more american theme....

Originally as I planned this display ahead of time, I had planned an american deciduous tree, but the Pacific Northwest endured a season of drought and high heat
negating use of the planned tree. So I went with something more of a religious significance, a lenanon cedar, wood used on many religious alters.

and finally the bamboo basket with mature grass heads, typical of fall.

I'm afraid the tree doesn't contribute to the feeling (for me). First there is too much pot. Second, a deciduous tree with some color would be a better fit.

I quess, statistically speaking Jim, your one in over a hundred that has an opinion

I talked with Matt Reel, last week, who apprenticed in Japan with Suzuki, and had option to do display at their museum. He said he was thinking of writing a book on the experience of toko display. Matt has returned to Portland,Oregon to be a part of an american "omiya villiage".

The new curator at the Pacific Bonsai Museum in Federal Way Washington state (south of Seattle), is planning an ongoing toko display under the tent there next year. So I have a sense of some encouragement.

I never could quite understand with the numbers of viewers here, why I could never get good interested or knowledgeable parties to participate. I always felt it would be a good place to echange known knowledge and maybe some inroads into culturat differences.

But as my younger brother is oft quoted as saying, "such is life"....
so with that said I'm sure all will understand if I discontinue my effort to spark informational exchange on toko display.

No everyone has a toko like you Dick. And I've very little,(ok, none) experience with display. I do, however , enjoy your efforts.
The scroll seems a little to "campy", no, not camping. I think my taste would gravitate to having the absolute starkest pieces accenting a tree.
Not surprising since my house is decorated like the coldest, detached hospital you can imagine. Nothing on the walls thank you, just the essentials!!!
As I said, I enjoy your efforts, but I'm not sure I can contribute much to a display conversation!!

Have a great day!!

I applaud your efforts and accomplishments however I feel compelled to Critique your Present Toko Display...
Please do not take offense at anything I offer...
Your spatial offering is out of sync...
You need larger, taller, wider Bonsai for the space offered...
The Scarecrow is totally out of character for a Toko...
The Display does not even look like a Toko Display...
If you are going to show a Toko Display Photograph the entire Toko including the outer Woodwork side to side, top to bottom, so as to develop a Toko context, yours looks like a Bonsai, accent and scroll placed against a wall of some room...
Personally I think your Juniper and Pot are exceptional however just don't work in your display...
Well there you go...
Just another opinion FWIW

Chuck

I want encourage Dick to keep posting. He may not get many comments and will probably get fewer pictures in return since most of us are not set up for such a display, but it is always neat to see them and to see a different approach from the traditional one.

I like the scarecrow and moon scroll. However, I would like to see it paired with a larger deciduous tree that evokes the feeling of an old knarly oak. There was a thread about such trees a couple of months ago. It would be far from traditional, but it would be an American take on the concept. I also like the spruce, but agree it is too small for the space.

a quick thank-you to the three who posted encouragement and feedback.

Hi Dick,

Nice display and combination.

Please remember that the art of bonsai display is a personal expression of beauty which you want to share with others.

In my humble opinion I would change the spacing. Here is what I did:

Make the image straight. Look at the horizontal line of the background to the foreground. Then make the scroll painting straight. Raise the scroll.

Move the bonsai to the right, this also hides the plug.

Move the companion to the right.

Those are just my "Personal" thoughts.

By the way, I'm working on my 10th book, The Art of Bonsai Display…

Keep up your good work!

Bill

OK, my turn:

Here is my autumn display for my Open House last weekend.

Japanese maple, just beginning to change color is the main object of display. I'm bringing it, and lots more to the Artisan's Cup for my sales area. Let me know if you are interested in anything.

The scroll depicts an American raccoon with grasses. That's why I did not use grass in the display, but on the outside. By the way, I'll have many shikishi boards suitable for bonsai, both right to left and left to right orientations in Portland.

The companion planting is of Black Mondo and Toad Lily. They are now in full blossom and I'll also have some small 3"pots of them for sale in Oregon too.

The Chameleon plant, Houttuynia cordita, on the right was a bit too bold and similar to the red foreground to be in the display, so its outside.

Enjoy autumn!

Bill

That looks fantastic, Bill!!

And another book.....#10....way to go!!

I have your latest two, and I must say, I enjoy them immensely.

I'm not one for "bucket lists", but going to your nursery is something I HAVE to do!!
But boy, I hate cars!! Really, just about any internal combustion engine disgusts me!!

Thanks for your gracious sharing of information!!!

Well here I go again with unsolicited Critique...
Everything well shown to offer a Display context, excellent.
Love the Maple in its Natural appearing State as opposed to a perfectly styled Broom or similar, Inspiring...
The well placed and spaced accents show very well...
I love the beautiful Japanese appearing Show Stand with a accent stand at each end...and the Maroon covering, very nice.

Unfortunately the Twisted, Gnarley Tree branch holding the right side of the shelf keeps drawing my eye away from the Stand and Display, I think a Straight, Geometric Oak 4x4 or such maybe an Oak shelf bracket off the wall... would be more in keeping with context of the overall look of the Display.

Just my 2c worth FWIW and that's not much...

Chuck

The gnarly branch is quite traditional. I hope we see Bill back here to comment.

In traditional Japanese alcoves there is usually a special post which determines the formality of the area. A square post would be considered a formal space. A round post is semi-formal, while a post with movement is consider to be an informal display.

I am not Japanese, but do adapt many of their traditions to my own situation and teachings. I selected a curved post for my alcove because I specialize in deciduous species and most are considered to be informal.

My curved post is special, to me, because I grew it from a one gallon young grafted Camperdown Weepin Elm in my mother's garden. They normally grow straight, however, I wanted movement so wrapped and trained the trunk around a ten foot piece of rigid electrical conduit. After the trunk formed the pipe was removed and the crown developed. I have (or had) several good photos of the tree growing in the garden, even one with our cat in the crown. However, many of my photos and slides were lost in our house fire a few years ago. Later on I'll be looking for that photo which will be included in my upcoming book on bonsai display. The tree eventually died from Dutch Elm Disease and I cut it down. When I got married and moved my bonsai into our new location the dead post came in quite handy for the alcove display. There is a story about its positioning too.
Bill

thank-you Bill for the instruction and the encouragement. Will be anxious to get hands on the book and excited to know one is in the offing.....

I'm deeply involved as a volunteer maintaining the Pacific Bonsai museum and will be leading tours of the facility for those traveling from the Artesan's cup
by bus to see our trees. So I'm very disappointed I won't be able to see you on your trip west......

Bill I am relieved to know there is a story and reason for using the Gnarly tree for your Alcove Display...

I am really interested in knowing your thoughts or where you are going with your Japanese Maple in the Alcove.

Would you see it as "Naturalistic" ???

How long have you had it ???

Chuck

I've had that maple for over 10 years, completely container grown.

It's time for a new owner, that's why I'm taking it to Portland.

And thanks Bill for holding your "Open House' weekend. I took a lot of photos that will hopefully help me improve.
Anyway, I found an interesting article. You're probably aware of it already but it might interest some other visitor here. https://bonsaial.wordpress.com/the-art-of-display/ I found it after following Brian Van Fleet's links to this same site on display stands.

thank-you Robert for sharing an URL with lots of good basics. Appreciated.

As a student of many hobbies japanese, I really want to focus on learning the japanese way first, then I can begin to create a more western way (american) of approaching the story.

Interesting reading! Thank you!
I cannot avoid making a comment regarding the eligibility of the webpage. I had to select the paragraphs in order to appear/to be seen on the monitor and then I could read. Too tiresome, indeed.

William N. Valavanis wrote:In traditional Japanese alcoves there is usually a special post which determines the formality of the area. A square post would be considered a formal space. A round post is semi-formal, while a post with movement is consider to be an informal display.

Bill

This is true, but it is not just the Toko Hashira that determines the formality of the toko no ma. Page 26 and 27 in the book 表具　和の文化的遺伝子 Hyougu Wa no Bunkateki Idenshi by Okamoto on page 26 and 27 describes the elements in a table format for formal, semi-formal, and informal toko no ma.

I love Bill's toko though and hope the one I am in process of making turns out as good as his.

And side note....Benbow san...why don't you use one of the scrolls I made for you? The heavenly bamboo would pair well with that pine in my opinion, especially considering the nagare, flow of both...

William N. Valavanis wrote:OK, my turn:

The scroll depicts an American raccoon with grasses. That's why I did not use grass in the display, but on the outside. i

Bill

When I first looked at the display without reading your description, I actually thought it was a tanuki (racoon dog) in the painting, with susuki (japanese  pampas grass). While the plant pairs well with the season, if it is a tanuki, then it might be better to have them painted in a pair for the autumn season...

I had that scroll custom hand painted for me in China, along with a few others.

As you all know, it's difficult to find appropriate hanging scrolls as week as suitable displays tables here in the US for bonsai display. But, we do the beast we can and enjoy the beauty we create.

Bill

Today, Seattle is hosting the President of China.

So out of my regard for Maples-san, I put together a literati type display using Jonathan's heavenly bamboo scroll.

Hello Dick!
I do love your pine!
Species?

Aka matsue ( )

Japanese red pine