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Nonsense Rascal
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Maybe you need to define in your mind what a literati tree is. I know you have studied this thread but can you find any one place that clearly defines the style that is universally accepted? The entire process of a Literati is to violate the rules to a degree, and establish an image of minimalism.
You're right you have defined the major parameter of all Literati; personal preference. The point being; if you are satisfied with what you have done and some one says you can't do that-----your simple reply should be "Who says?" That should shut up the criticism.For myself i have a clear image of what i personaly would define as a literati tree.
For me that is either coniferous or decideous/evergreen species that show signs of strugling to survive.
trunk could be twisted and gnarly or straight as a telephone pole but it should be tall and not to thick and quite taperless.
As you say less is more i too do think that a literati only needs a few branches in the top of the tree, the fewer branches the more strugling it will apear imo.
Also i think that coniferous species have the advantage to create an older/drama feel to them by adding some deadwood or having just one single live vein that feeds the living part of the tree.
Not that in general i dislike deadwood on decideous species but since literati are mostly thin trunked and thin branched the deadwood will not last long on most of the decideous species so i prefer an old looking rugged bark over deadwood on decideous species
In the netherlands we realy dont have much "real nature" most of the forrest are planted i think and the the most literati we will see are tree's that try to outgrow the shadows of other tree's to survive and mostly those tree's are broadleaf tree's
from what i understand out of this thread is that some will say this is literati and some say it isnt because their own personal preference of caracteristics a "literati" tree should have.
This is the reason why i ask for opinions from others here what they would or would not do with this tree to see what the different aproaches would be and specialy why so i can learn from their perspectives
You're right you have defined the major parameter of all Literati; personal preference. The point being; if you are satisfied with what you have done and some one says you can't do that-----your simple reply should be "Who says?" That should shut up the criticism.
Good idea making a little video. I think you could as you mentioned keep the top foliage, but pull it down drastically. Or you could keep one of the midway branches, and make a deadwood top. I look forward to seeing where you take it
Provided that you asked for opinions and if I was to suggest, I would say that your tree shown in those two photos has an appealing movement already, pertinent to literati form... So, to my opinion no drastic intervention needed
That's very simplistic, to my opinion.Thats true but this is not only so with literati styles but with every style there are plenty of rules out there...
but the same as in life breaking the rules now and then makes you realy enjoy your life and gives you the feeling you are actualy living your own
Same for me with bonsai sure its nice to achieve the goal to create a show worthy tree with as few flaws as possible wich is formed by "the book" but my own enjoyment of the tree's i look at everyday in my backyard is the most important to me.
My teacher said this last time we had class
if you want a bonsai shaped in the form of a penis you should, and let no one tell you its not good because if thats what you want thats what is truely important
I couldnt agree more with that statement lol we get told enough what we have to do in our lives, bonsai is a hobby what we do for our enjoyment and everyone is and should be allowed to express themself in this beautifull living form of art the way they want to!
That's very simplistic, to my opinion.
If you restrict yourself in your own personal enjoyment, then of course you can call the work of your hands any possible way as it pleases you.
But please remember, bonsai as an artifact is a two-way ticket.... and in essence this is the reason why you have asked other opinions, or is it not?
I would like to elaborate a little on what you have said, if you don't mind...... ...There might be over a dozen of paths to take and all results will be labeled literati in the end
So in a way yes thats why i ask for opinions but its also to learn the different ways of seeing the literati desired characteristics
I would like to elaborate a little on what you have said, if you don't mind...
I can see in your words the two terms of "form" and "style"
The main characteristics of the trunk will reveal the form of literati, but the personal touch of each artisan and the manner in which the form is displayed will result in the style of each tree.
To my taste, a literati form tree is an elegant and internally beautiful tree rather than an externally pretty tree with great impact.
So again, by looking at the photos, your tree has already a beautiful natural movement in the trunk and this means that my eye can find the beauty in this simple and elegant movement. It needs some years more to age.
Then this is a successful example of what everyone of us have read about bonsai manipulation : Made by human hand with no sign of human touch... ...Thank you for the compliment on the natural movement
In 2016 the tree was bought and looked like this straight as a telephone pole
Then this is a successful example of what everyone of us have read about bonsai manipulation : Made by human hand with no sign of human touch
My ignorant eye likes this very much!