Bonsai Styles, How to style a Bonsai, Bonsai masterpieces, South African Bonsai Styles

Bonsai (盆栽 Japanese)

Why Bonsai Styles?

Trees are one of God’s most impressive creations, and bonsai growers throughout the world have been inspired by these masterpieces to create their own bonsai masterpieces.  

In his book, “Bonsai Techniques 1”, John Naka starts the section on different styles in bonsai by saying that: “It is fascinating to make a study of nature’s trees and visualise bonsai shapes”.
Not all trees in nature have enough visual impact to inspire a new style.

Although bonsai originated in China, the Japanese have had the biggest influence on the bonsai concept and philosophy as we know it today. Likewise, Western bonsai growers, especially the Americans, have been influenced by their environment and culture to develop a new way of expressing this oriental art-form.

Similarly Charles created new indigenous African styles like the Baobab, the Pierneef, the Flat Top, the Busveld, the Wild fig and others as the climate and tree shapes are in Africa totally different to those found in the Northern Hemisphere.

Every tree should tell a 'story' and that story is reflected in the style when a tree is being developed as a bonsai.

When attempting to style a tree you will need to know a little about the growth characteristics of the species you are using, as not all trees suit all styles.
The Maidenhair tree (Ginkgo Biloba) for example, makes a good bonsai but its growth habits are such that it will not respond well to wiring, and it tends to be best trained in its natural shape, which resembles a candle flame.

Conifers don't grow in the broom style, and few, if any deciduous trees occur naturally in the formal upright style.

Classification of Bonsai Styles

Basic Styles

Despite a multitude of Bonsai styles, only five main styles form the back bone of all the styles.

1. Formal upright or Chokkan style
2. Informal upright or Moyo – Gi style
3. Slanting or Shakani style
4. Semi Cascade or Han – Kezigas Style
5. Full Cascade or Kengas Style

The above styles are identified by the angle at which the tree trunk slants towards the horizontal line.

Info from the book Bonsai Styles of the world by Charles S Ceronio.