Hartinez
Masterpiece
Pump the brakes smoke. It’s not always the size of the tree that counts. Sometimes it’s just the wiggle in your trunk.
I want to hear more arguments ..Bonsai Humor Thread No. 2
- Thread starter Shogun610
- Start date
shohin_branches
Omono
In your own words define what makes a tree a literati style
Nybonsai12
Masterpiece
Thin graceful trunk, sparse foliage at the top. If conifer, which i prefer for literati, there should be nice bark or deadwood to help the aged/weathered look.
Wulfskaar
Omono
I'm going to be wrong, but here goes:
Tall, thin, elegant bonsai. Not a "normal" tree shape. A JBP sacrifice is not elegant, although it may be tall and skinny.
The focus is a trunk with graceful and possibly jarring movement. Gives the impression of balance, but where any change would make it fall over.
souvik1811
Yamadori
I dont quite like people using 'thin trunk' for literati. I think 'gradual/drawn-out taper' (as opposed to drastic taper in stronger, more masculine trees) is more descriptive of good literati. I feel if the taper is slow and gradual, the length of the trunk relative to the base would be long enough to achieve the visual proportions of a tall literati, even if the trunk at the base is relatively thick. I dont think a contorted quarter inch trunk would cut as a literati yet - it just wouldn't show the age. Does it make sense or am I crazy?
stubmle
Mame
I think the defining characteristic is line- a single, continuous line that defines the shape of the tree and is not obscured by or distracted from by other elements of the tree's form (thus the convention of minimal foliage). They need not be graceful or tall, but must have a strong and clearly defined line that imparts a sense of motion or balance. Like wulfskaar pointed out, a sacrifice branch or a beanpole doesn't qualify- they have line, but no motion or balance.
I would say it should be sinuous as well, but angular forms also can work.
That said, I agree that the convention of tall, thin, graceful literati is most pleasing to the eye.
Wulfskaar
Omono
I think this might be the best description of literati I've ever seen.
Desert O'Piñon
Omono
I agree, this is spot on. The only thing I can think to add is that even on the branches with foliage, it is positioned away from the trunk, so that the branches (though elegant) could even be described as "leggy," maybe?
Paradox
Marine Bonsologist
Ok you're arguing with yourself. Are you sure thats not against the rules of the thread?
Thats next level stuff and Im not sure it should be allowed
Paradox
Marine Bonsologist
While I agree conifers usually lend themselves to this style better than other kinds of trees, I dont think it has to be limited to conifers.
I have a BRT that makes a pretty decent literati, IMHO of course
Desert O'Piñon
Omono
Definitely next level. But I get it. Sometimes, when being right all the time gets boring, you have to argue with yourself. So you make your own point and then you build a counterpoint. Doesn't everyone do this?
Desert O'Piñon
Omono
I have a mimosa that I hope to do this with. Usually conifers, but without new traditions, the art doesn't grow. So I'm going to try a broadleaf, too.
ShadyStump
Imperial Masterpiece
ShadyStump
Imperial Masterpiece
I associate styles with growing conditions.
Literati generally is the tree that had to stretch out in a strange angle in order to reach the light.
There are of course exceptions, but this is where I start when imagining literati. I agree with @stubmle about the single continuous line that suggests motion, and this is very important for visualizing a literati in progress, but there are only so many ways to get there in nature.
Edit: I bet you thought this was going to get spicy didn't you?
You stumbled upon the only thing all bonsai people agree on; we have no clue what literati is, but we know it when we see it.
leatherback
The Treedeemer
This is pretty much how it was defined to me.
What I was taught from my japanese teacher was on top of that, slender trunk, minimal taper, and basically always coniferous. "One should not try literati with broadleaf" was pretty much the message.
Now that has cutural roots I am sure, where the different tree species and types have much more meaning than we might give them.
Rambles
Mame
This is my prized mame cherry. I let it dry back too hard so cut off most of the leaves and roots to try and save it. When that didn't seem to work, I buried it in a shallow unmarked grave in the woods. This spring it came back! I am truly a master gardener
I just wish it would stop screaming...
Attachments
Paradox
Marine Bonsologist
Im wondering if it's because most of the trees in the wild that grow this way are usually conifers in windy areas on top of mountains where tall deciduous don't grow
Wires_Guy_wires
Imperial Masterpiece
Blackbirds are feathered squirrels then.
BrianBay9
Masterpiece
"Blue jays watch me bury acorns in your pots, then come and steal them! So I have to bury them again. Dang roots in the way, I can chew them off. Wire? Wire! Well crap I'm just pushing the whole thing off the bench then." - squirrel
shohin_branches
Omono
I was hoping. People agree on the definition, it seems, but if you show them a tree and you tell them it's a literati then there are big feelings
Similar threads
