Bonsai Secrets "Style" Part 1

BONSAI STYLES

Within the two basic style categories, there are many specific styles, as you will see below. You will also see some examples for the most popular styles, giving important growing information.


Broom Style (Hokidachi)
With the Broom style, the tree trunk is straight and upright, not continuing up to the top of the tree. The branches of this style will go out in all directions, going one-third the wayup the height of the tree. With this, the branches and leaves begin to form a crown in the shape of a ball, which is a nice look during the winter. This style is best suited for deciduous treesthat have heavy branching.

Formal Upright Style (Chokkan)
This style is quite common, occurring most often in nature when the Bonsai is exposed to significant light and when not competing with other trees. The tree trunk must betapered and visible. Typically, the trunk would be much thicker at the bottom while growing increasingly thinner with the height.

The branching for this style should begin about one-quarter up the length of the trunk and then the top of the tree there should be a single branch formed. Finally, the trunk should never span the entire height of the tree.

• First branch up from the bottom will need to be the longest. Additionally, it needs to be in proportion and trained to grow one-third of the tree’s total height. This branch is the heaviest of the branches, making a slight right angle.
• Second branch will grow opposite the first branch and slightly higher on the trunk. As this branch ascends, it will taper off, creating a cone-like form.
• The top portion of the Bonsai consists of thick foliage. In fact, it is often so thick that it is tightly ramified and hard to see the internal structure because of the needles and/or leaves.
• For this style, the tip has a slight curve, leaning forward. Depending on the tree that you have chosen for your Bonsai, it does not have to be symmetrical. Instead, the branches could ascend, simply by alternating them on either side.
• The taper is very distinctive with this style, usually achieved by cruelly cutting off the growing tip of either branch or trunk. Then, the new branch is wired into the correct position to help form the apex. Although hard to do, the results are stunning.

Informal Upright Style (Moyogi)

With this style, you will find them most common in both nature and in the art of Bonsai. The Moyogi style has a trunk that grows upright, creating an “S” shape. Additionally, wherever there is a turn, there is branching. For this style, the trunk must be visible, and the trunk’s base should be thicker at the base than at the top portions.

To accomplish the Upright style, you will need to make sure one-third of the trunk can be seen from the front, from the base to the first branch of cumulatively through tracery of branches. In most cases, the branches would be in a specific pattern, such as this below:

• This process is very similar to the upright except it is more informal
• The trunk is tapered but the branch positioning and trunk direction are closer and more informal to the way in which the tree would be when first exposed to the elements
• Typically, the trunk will have an unexpected curve or several twists. The branches are then positioned as a way of balancing this effect.
• The tree’s crown is extremely full, covered with dense foliage
• Although the trunk is informal, the crown is always located directly above the tree’s base
• Jin, which is the carved remains of unwanted or dead branches so they look dead or rotten, they are effective and appropriate for this style.

Slanting / Leaning Style (Shakkan)
If you have other plants, you have probably noticed that the side that faces the sun will cause the branches to lean in that direction. With this style, you would train the Bonsai to slant/lean but for it to be in the true training practice, the angle must be between 60 to 80 degrees, relative to the ground.

With this style, the roots would be well developed on one side, as ameans of keeping the tree standing. On the side that leans, you would notice that the roots are not nearly as developed. The first branch of the Bonsai would be growing opposite of the direction in which the tree is leaning, as a way of creating balance. Then, the tree trunk should be just slightly bent, or you could choose to keep it straight but remember, it must be thicker at the bottom.

• Although similar to the Informal Upright, this style has a trunk that can be straight or curved. Regardless, it has to be on an angle going to the right or left, and never to the front.
• The apex should never be directly over the base of the Bonsai.
• This simple style can be achieved by wiring the trunk into position or .trained to an angle
• The tree for this style can be forced to grow slanted, simply by putting the pot on a slant
• The number three is relative to this style. For example, the low branches should be grouped in threes, starting one-third up the trunk. Then, the bottom three branches would encircle the trunk, with two of the branches going upward with one just a little higher. The third branch, which emanates between the first two branches, is placed at an angle, which helps the foliate appear lower than the other two. With this pattern, you can tell front from back and set the composition’s tone.