AusBonsai

On finding out about the Kifu classification on the weekend, (thank you Gabriel for the correct spelling) I started to investigate the classifications on the net. I went to several sites and found out that no one can agree, on the names of the sizes not alone the measurements! One site calls Shohin the group name for Shito and Mame. Two sites in America just do not agree at all! I only found one site that has the Kifu classification and they had the measurement to 40-50cm. Not 20-30cm as we were informed on the weekend. My question, Is there a uniform classification.

maryo wrote:On finding out about the Kifu classification on the weekend, (thank you Gabriel for the correct spelling) I started to investigate the classifications on the net. I went to several sites and found out that no one can agree, on the names of the sizes not alone the measurements! One site calls Shohin the group name for Shito and Mame. Two sites in America just do not agree at all! I only found one site that has the Kifu classification and they had the measurement to 40-50cm. Not 20-30cm as we were informed on the weekend. My question, Is there a uniform classification.

NOPE!
Everyone you ask, will have a different interpretation. It is as bad as soil discussions LOL


One of the best descriptions was on the old BonsaiTalk site, we had a Wiki and one of the articles was a Table listing the ort of agreed sizings and, the alterante name and "classes"

I wish I still had a copy of that one page it wa a beauty.
Also have another one for all variations of different Styles too

Europe have different to USA which have different from Japan. Which is the one I believe is what Kokufu and all the Japanese clubs go by.

Again ambiguous. Mame = will fit in the palm of the hand. Shohin= under 20 cm, Chuhin= around 45 cm, Ippan= 45cm to around 1m.

In Europe the max size for Shohin is around 25cm which seems to be the excepted size in Australia, now.

In John Y Nakas techniques 1 page 121=122 he has a summary on sizes which I believe is what was used in the USA.

Large Bonsai ( omono bonsai ) the max was 1200 or 4ft not including pot. this is termed as as two to four man lifting tree.

Medium size ( chumono bonsai ) this size the average man can move around, and should be around 1 foot and a half ( 46cm ) to 3 feet tall ( 92cm )

One hand lifting size ( katade- mochi bonsai ) this size at about 8 inches to 15 inches ( 20- 38 cm) depending on the style rock clinging is not in this category.

Small size bonsai ( komono bonsai A tree of 4 or 5 inches to 7 inches ( 10cm= 18) will fall into this category this is a difficult size to get all the details.

Palm size bonsai ( mame bonsai ) this is the smallest bonsai and 3=4 should fit in the average size hand.

Then we have the microscopic size or poppy seed size (keshitsubu ) in this case it is a miniature pot and the seed is sown directly into the pot

In Deborah Koreshoffs book page 236 these are her guidlines Shito or keshitsubu up to 5 cm or 7.5 cm
Mame 5 cm 15 cm the above two classifications as shoohin or shohin . Kotate ( or Kotade ) mochi 15cm=30 cm.
Chiu or Ch-mono 30 cm= 60cm=. Dai or Omono 60 cm= 120cm or takes two to carry.
This I believe to be what is exceptable in Australia. I hope this helps in some way. Cheers Pup

It is a bit of a struggle getting the proper measurements here is a table I use.

MAME (tiny)
keshi - up to 2.5cm
shito - 2.5 to 7.5 cm
SHOHIN (small)
komono - up to 18cm
gafu - 13 to 20cm
myabi - 15 to 25cm
KIFU (medium)
katade-mochi - up to 40cm
chu/chuhin - 40 to 60cm
DAI?DAIZA (large)
omono - up to 120cm
benju - over 100cm.
as you can see there are some over laps this is to help at exhibitions to reduce the number of sections.

Well thanks guys for your help, it would seem to me that even in our own country we have a difference.

what you need to do is match up what you can and do some more research