Fundamental Bonsai Design (part 2)

This Chinese juniper bonsai has all the characteristics necessary for a good bonsai. The viewing front has been selected to show the best trunk movement and it has the left, right and back branches located in the correct positions.  The first third of the trees height is clear of branches and offer an unobstructed view of the trunk line.  The suggestion of great age is enhanced by the solid surface rootage (nebari) as well as the downward slope of the branches and the inclusion of deadwood areas (jin & shari) in the composition.  The apex of the tree is placed in a direct line over its trunk base creating an overall asymetrically balanced triangle.The selection ored clay, container with sharpf a corners accentuates the sharp rugged lines of this juniper.

Finding The Big Three

Although a bonsai may have as many branches con- tained its composition as the artist deems appropriate, the ideal bonsai design will contain three main branches as a featured part of the total composition. These are:

Primary or Number One Branch. This is always the lowest, longest and thickest of all the branches on the

tree. It occurs about one third of the way up the trunk and emerges from the trunk or either the right or the left side

of the front (artist choice). It should come forward from the front plane of the tree.

Secondary or Number Two Branch.    This branch is placed on the opposite side from the Primary branch and above it.  It is slightly shorter and slightly thinner and located in the second third of the trees total height.

Back or Number Three Branch. This branch is located between the number one and number to branches and in the back of the composition.  It is somewhat shorter than the Secondary branch and also located in the second third of the trees total height.

Additional Branches. All remaining branches on the tree are located in the upper third of the trees total height and gradually become shorter and thinner as they ap- proach the apex of the tree. These branches follow the same pattern as the three primary branches as they go up the trunk.  ie - either left, back, right or right, back, left.

After all the elements above have been identified the following formula for the construction of a classical bonsai can be applied.

Base Formula For Construction

Of A Bonsai

A good bonsai has a triangular shape. It has a front designed for primary viewing, but looks good from all angles. It is clear of branches for the first third of its height and contains the three primary branches (included in most bonsai designs) within the second third of the trees height. The final third of the trees height contains the remaining branch structures. The trunk is clear and visible for the first two thirds of the trees height with the remaining branches beginning to cover the trunk line in the final third. The branch structures are clearly layered, well organized and asymmetrically placed on the outside of trunkline curves whenever possible. The top of the tree “bows” slightly toward the viewer and the apex of the tree (in the case of an informal upright style) is in a direct line over the base of the trunk.

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