I think I see what you're saying now, the arrows are where the nodes/prunes would have been right? But what about the very lowest arrow from the left, would that have been the initial "hard prune" on the trunk? Then subsequent prunes with each arrow up?
I also actually purchased Peter Adam's 'Bonsai with Japanese Maples', it's a plethora of information and I should probably read it again. The first couple times you read it, there's so much information, that it seemingly flies right over your head.
Thank god for these forums though, it's very helpful to get a second explanation in more layman's terms from everyone on here. Things like the importance of cutting ABOVE the node, are very useful bits that I've taken to heart. I'm sure when I give it a second read now, I'll understand it much more (I'll also look into Andrea Meriggioli's book).
I also now realize why I thought you could just "chop" it as low as possible, and get multiple sprouts; img attached.