Intelligent conversation of the Literati

ghues

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Why would one want to reduce this wind throw?

Sorce
Windthrow equals downed timber, which can be a safety hazard for workers, an attraction for forest insects (beetles) etc and dear sir to elaborate even further it would take a long time to explain...in short..its a part of an ecosystem based forest strategy witin our province., which has strong environmental standards.
Now back to Literati G.
 

brewmeister83

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Here's a question I've been pondering for a while...

It's already been pointed out that there are few really good broadleaf examples of bunjin out there, and many of the ones I've seen (with the exception of ume bunjin) have been forced into a sort of "matsu-zukuri" traditional triangular crowned pine tree shape or a hyper stylized thin trunk with a tuft of foliage as a result of wabi-sabi philosophy. It's not just among Japanese, but Chinese penjing bunjin as well - although, at least with penjing, they go from [classical pine shape] to [completely abstract with very little formal structure] and everything in-between. As I understand it, this diversity in form is the result of different "schools" of penjing in China - some of which focus heavily on broadleaf species, and many of these seem to have a naturalistic slant in their styling.

So, being that we all know how we love rules/guidelines/styling conventions in bonsai, are there set guidelines for styling broadleaf bunjin NOT in a "classical pine form" or "wabi-sabi form", kinda like those ume and naturalistic penjing I mentioned above?
 
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wireme

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image.jpg image.jpg image.jpg Hmmm?

From the first time I saw it in the mountains I thought I'd probably reduce to something like above. For some reason the term literati has never crossed my mind but I see now maybe it should.
I'll revisit the thread when the time comes, lots of nice thoughts here.
 

wireme

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I wouldn't cut it back that drastic either. That longer whip may come in handy.

The long lower whip?

Looks like you're right, just shortened a bit and it's a keeper. This is starting to look good to me now and the virt is nothing but eraser work! image.jpg
 

Dan W.

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Here's another Limber pine. I wouldn't necessarily call this bunjin, but it does give me some of that feeling. My intention when designing the tree was to emphasize the feeling of this tree surviving centuries worth of merciless winds high in the mountains.

 

Adair M

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Here's another Limber pine. I wouldn't necessarily call this bunjin, but it does give me some of that feeling. My intention when designing the tree was to emphasize the feeling of this tree surviving centuries worth of merciless winds high in the mountains.

Very nice! That one twig on the right needs to be turned to the left, in my opinion to stay consistent with the rest of the tree.
 

Vance Wood

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I really love this species, and this is a really nice one. Do you have it growing in 100% Pumice?
 

Dan W.

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Thanks Adair! My original thought with that twig was to offer a bit of counter balance, but now that you point it out I suppose that could still be accomplished with a simple turn of direction for the shoot.

I do too Vance! :) Yes it is in straight pumice besides the original root mass from the mountains. I plan to repot this spring, then I will remove some of the mountain soil and I may use a bit of akadama in the mix.
 

Vance Wood

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This tree is in my mind an embodiment of what I would call the American Literati. It is not Chinese, or Japanese it is American and the way trees in this configuration grow here. It also is a preference of mine. I like the mood and feel of the Literati but I love that kind of design on a bit more substantial trunks than tradition defines the style. In tradition it is the long shiny and twisted trunks that define the Literati. I find a bit more meat and character on trunk attracts me.
 

BobbyLane

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Great thread, learning a lot from it.
This is my 'dancing' Birch, Betula pubescens, i think its showing some literati characteristics, thats my intended vision anyway, its in the early stages and its already been through a few reductions to get to this stage.
IMG_1430 by Bobby Lane, on Flickr
IMG_2357 by Bobby Lane, on Flickr
IMG_3617 by Bobby Lane, on Flickr

would you say it fits the Literati form? i think so. i dont intend for the canopy to get much larger than this...but the ramification will obviously improve in time. there is some flare at the base.
 

Tycoss

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Great thread, learning a lot from it.
This is my 'dancing' Birch, Betula pubescens, i think its showing some literati characteristics, thats my intended vision anyway, its in the early stages and its already been through a few reductions to get to this stage.
IMG_1430 by Bobby Lane, on Flickr
IMG_2357 by Bobby Lane, on Flickr
IMG_3617 by Bobby Lane, on Flickr

would you say it fits the Literati form? i think so. i dont intend for the canopy to get much larger than this...but the ramification will obviously improve in time. there is some flare at the base.
Nice trunk line. I also like the pot, given that this tree is a bit on the thick and muscular side for a literati.
 

Velodog2

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Here's another Limber pine. I wouldn't necessarily call this bunjin, but it does give me some of that feeling. My intention when designing the tree was to emphasize the feeling of this tree surviving centuries worth of merciless winds high in the mountains.

In addition to being lovely the word believable comes to mind. It is 'naturalistic' without being a lazy damned mess. This is a nice tree.
 

PaulH

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I agree that literati is a " know it when I see it thing" and very difficult to quantify. I think what defines literati best for me is "understated grace and elegance".

Some of mine:

A little incense cedar, needs more foliage refinement to be good.
incense cedar bunjin.jpg

Twin trunk Lodgepole pine
10570472_740871292645285_5747230282390500708_n.jpg

Chaparral Honeysuckle
5-15-13 008.jpg

These are all native yamadori I've collected.
 

Vance Wood

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They are very good. I think, ----and that's just it, -----I think; your little Cedar could use a bit more reduction to become a really state of the art Literati. Just my opinion. Just remember that the shortest and perhaps the moist poignant sentence in The New Testament had only two words: Jesus wept. To me this is the spirit of Literati. You make an artistic statement that could be philosophical if it is really good, with the least number of elements possible. For those who resent the biblical reference there is always Forrest Gump: Shit happens, but shomehow this quote lacks the elegance, and if anything Literati should be elegant.
 
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