Creating a Bonsai Display
When one wants to beautify his or her home, he should consider accents of nature to be among his alternatives. Sure, it would be pleasing to handmade or manufactured items hanging on the wall or displayed as centrepieces. However, many home owners have discovered the enduring decorative appeal of plants, ornaments crafted by nature's hands.
Bonsai displays are good examples of the visual impact that flora have within or around a home. The art of displaying bonsai was honed way back in ancient Japanese times. Today, it is widely practised both in the Eastern and Western parts of the world.
One thing that a bonsai owner must always remember is that displaying a bonsai plant requires space. This is because it is difficult to appreciate the form and quality of a bonsai plant if it is placed in a cluttered area. Its beauty best shows when it is the centre of attention; when its surroundings serve only to heighten the appreciation of its attractiveness. Japanese tradition best exemplifies this with their use of the tokonoma. The tokonoma is a built-in alcove in the reception room of a Japanese house or establishment. This space is built for visually appealing items alone – no person is allowed to step up inside it. Western homes imitate the appeal of the tokonoma with their fireplaces, but those who own bonsai plants tend to have display alcoves built in their houses.
When displaying a bonsai plant in a tokonoma, it is important to note that the wall is painted in a light colour so that it will help bring out the beauty of the bonsai's dark leaves or bright flowers. It must not be white, though, as white can create a harsh look. The bonsai is usually displayed with a small accent plant or a viewing stone called suiseki. Sometimes, there will be a scroll tacked on the wall. Note that the small accent plant must not have fiery colours or elaborate forms that will steal the viewer's attention away from the bonsai. The same goes with the suiseki and the scroll. All these - bonsai, suiseki, accent plant, scroll - should depict a season or a theme.
Note that there are some bonsai plants that look better when placed on stands. This is especially true for cascade and semi-cascade bonsai styles, which need a stand to convey height and depth.
