Trident cultivar?

[Velodog2]

I acquired this tree a couple years ago and am learning its ways. In its current pot it grows very slowly although based on the size of the trunk in other circumstances it must grow more quickly. The internodes on some of those branches are almost invisible they are so close.

Looking at the branches it’s clear another characteristic is lack of ramification I haven’t had much chance to play but I’ve had branches die that I cut back to visible dormant buds.

Anyone have any knowledge of this variety of trident and advice?

 

[Shibui]

I suspect the characteristics you are seeing are the result of the tiny pot rather than a particular variety.
Most of my shohin and smaller trees have extremely close internodes and developing ramification is difficult because the trees are so close to the edge in terms of nutrition and hydration that they seem to be reluctant to produce lots of shoots.
To test out whether it is genetic, you could try to strike some cuttings and grow them out in a larger pot to check if those cuttings retain the same characteristics when better conditions are available.

 

[Velodog2]

Good thought and entirely possible given the observations. It is scheduled for a repot in spring and maybe I will upsize as an experiment. As it is I regret buying it because development is going to be nearly impossible unless that works.

There are additional oddities in the angle of emergence of new branches and slight pleating of the leaves that still support cultivar status but given the size of the trunk I think you’re probably right about growth rate at least.