Interesting. Are these types used with a particular style of tree or display?
Sorry if thats a stupid question. I havent even begun to think about learning display elements at this point. I need a tree I can display first!
It is not a stupid question. It was actually the key to help me learn about display. In the style of display that I have studied, called Gaddou 雅道, which would be defined as "the way of elegance."
The first step they do is define the tree first by Species and then by the styling. Because the bonsai is the focal point of the display. For example...
Evergreen trees are classified as Formal.
Deciduous, flowering and fruiting as Semi-formal
Grass plantings called Sanyasou as Informal.
Styling classification for various bonsai styles is listed below:
真 Shin (Formal):
直幹 Chokkan, 模様木 Moyougi, 蟠幹 Bankan, 箒立 Houkidachi,
行 Gyou (Semi-Formal):
斜幹 Shakan, 双幹 Soukan, 薄模様 Usumoyou, 立木 Tachigi
草 Sou (Informal):
文人木 Bunjinki, 寄せ根 Yosene, 株立 Kabudachi, 懸崖 Kengai, 半懸崖 Hankengai, 吹流し Fukinagashi
For example, let's say there is a white pine with a split trunk styling. (soukan), the display would be defined as Shin no Gyou, because it is an evergreen with a semi-formal styling.
How would you define the classification of a Japanese maple that is in the Fukinagashi styling? Give it a try...