Some timber level left, others level proper.
White pine that factors to the left
(This and subsequent pictures are from the 2020 Kokufu exhibition)
Korean hornbeam that slants to the appropriate
There are a selection of how to point route or circulate in bonsai. Within the above examples, the road of the trunk (from the bottom to the tip) strongly results in one aspect (the pine to the left, the hornbeam to the appropriate).
For deciduous timber displayed in winter, we will clearly see which manner the trunk or trunks level.
Premna – the principle trunks level to the left
In instances the place the trunk meanders backward and forward – a standard trait of casual upright bonsai – the highest of the trunk can point out route.
The foundation over rock trident maple beneath doesn’t have sturdy directional motion, however the high third of the trunk factors left. Consequently, we are saying the tree factors to the left.
Root over rock trident maple that factors to the left
Different deciduous timber have just about no indicators of motion within the trunk, silhouette, or department construction. That’s the case for the broom model zelkova beneath.
Zelkova – which manner does the tree level?
On this case, the zelkova factors to the appropriate. The proprietor potted the tree on the left aspect of the pot which opens up area on the appropriate.
Department construction, the road of the trunk, and the silhouette are used to find out route in conifers too. For timber with no seen construction, putting the majority of the foliage to the left or the appropriate can point out route.
Black pine with extra foliage on the left than on the appropriate – the tree factors to the left
A powerful department or branches can even point out route.
Ezo spruce with outstanding department that factors proper
Formal upright hinoki with outstanding branches that time left
When some facets of a tree level left and others level proper it may be laborious to find out the general circulate. For the pine beneath, the decrease part of the trunk and probably the most outstanding department transfer strongly to the left. The silhouette, nevertheless, factors to the appropriate.
Black pine
Collectively, the decrease part of the trunk and the outstanding department on the left make case for the tree pointing left (which is how the tree was displayed, with the accent on the left).
Right here’s an identical instance. The trunk of the yew beneath begins left however strikes overwhelmingly to the appropriate from there. Consequently, the tree factors proper.
Japanese yew
Collected bonsai usually have wild character that may lead in any variety of instructions. In these instances, we regularly depend on the foliar design to point route.
Shimpaku juniper that factors proper
The Kokufu prize-winning white pine beneath is a good instance of conflicting directional cues. The apex is immediately over the bottom of the trunk so there’s no inherent lean to the trunk.
The open cover and pointy jin at decrease proper usually counsel rightward motion, however the heavy foliage of the primary branches on the left counsel leftward motion and in the end lead the tree to level left.
White pine that factors left
Why give attention to which manner a tree factors? One cause is to refine our design abilities. If the circulate of our timber is ambiguous, it could be a possibility to make refinements that strengthen the circulate in a single route or the opposite.
Figuring out circulate can be a key side of bonsai show. Understanding which manner a tree factors, and the way strongly it factors, can assist us arrange shows that convey our inventive concepts. I’ll say extra about show in future posts.
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