Due to the small size of the trees, display of shohin is a bit different from the normal tokonoma display which usually involves a single tree, an accent plant and a scroll.  For shohin display the two trees faced each other at opposite ends of the display and the accent plant and the scroll were placed in the middle between them.  It was a rare opportunity to see how shohin display is constructed.

Bonsai stands for each tree should complement the tree.  For example, a very low stand would be used for a tall tree, and a very tall stand might be used for a short, twiggy yamadori juniper where the height of the stand would elevate the tree so the fine details of the tree could be seen and enjoyed.

From time to time stands become available at sales such as the auctions and sales.   The criteria for a good stand is a clean and simple design and, when available at a reasonable price, should be purchased.

Stands can be borrowed with care taken to use felt dots (available from a hardware or home decorating store) on the bottom of the legs of the pots to prevent scratching the stand.

Very simple stands can be made from short sections of available hardwood.  Slabs of sections of tree trunks can be used, but must be thin so as not to dominate the tree.  Three boards in a staggered formation can be used and is particularly useful for a very large pot.

Lastly, bamboo mats are frequently used as an informal summer display in Japan and are available here in import stores.