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It is almost impossible to formulate a list of rules for the construction of a bonsai. In art, rules are meant to be broken and sometimes bonsai which break all the rules are the most dramatic. Perhaps the word concepts or guidelines would be more appropriate. Most bonsai have a triangular shape, three primary branches, a viewing front and several of the elements discussed previously such as good root displacement, trunk taper and the like. What follows is a formula for creating a classically designed bonsai. There are about 12 classical bonsai styles types into which plant material can be shaped. (See appendix A). Described below is the classic design parameters for a formal upright bonsai. It is the base style from which all other bonsai shapes are derived. Regardless of what style you are making or what kind of plant material you are working with... it will ideally contain the elements described below. Formal Upright Bonsai: Definition - A tree whos trunk is perfectly straight and whos apex (top) is in a direct line above its base.
designs. Since a good bonsai artist strives for asymmetry in their creations it is seldom an equilateral triangle. Nevertheless, a triangle is always present. A single tree presents a single triangle. A twin trunk tree presents two triangles which are arranged to create one overall triangle. Cascade bonsai present triangles which are turned upside down. Forest and group plantings are composed of a series of triangular groupings... usually a minimum of three... which are then arranged to complete an overall larger triangle for the entire composition. (Illustration 2). Newcomer to the art would be well advised to master the triangulation of a single tree before attempting for complicated compositions such as cascades and forests.
This Chinese juniper bonsai has all the characteristics necessary for a good bonsai. The viewing front has been selected to show the best trunk movement and it has the left, right and back branches located in the correct positions. The first third of the trees height is clear of branches and offer an unobstructed view of the trunk line. The suggestion of great age is enhanced by the solid surface rootage (nebari) as well as the downward slope of the branches and the inclusion of deadwood areas (jin & shari) in the composition. The apex of the tree is placed in a direct line over its trunk base creating an overall asymetrically balanced triangle. The selection of a red clay, container with sharp corners accentuates the sharp rugged lines of this juniper.
There are no hard and fast rules in bonsai... only guidelines. And there are no perfect bonsai. The trees initial creation as well as its gradual development over the years, is a cooperative venture between you and the tree. It is not a contest of wills. The formula is designed as a guideline to help you visualize what needs to be done. Understand it and how it works to your advantage by helping to create asymmetry and a feeling of age in your creation. It is not intended to be a hard fast set of rules and should never use it as a wooden club to force your tree into artistic submission. If the classical design formula is not working then forget the formula for a moment and consider the subject itself. It may well be that your tree does not have a viable number one branch or that some other design element called for in the formula is missing. It happens more often than not and frankly is simply not that important. What IS important is that YOU have studied the formula enough to understand that a primary branch is needed. That understanding will allow you to modify the bonsais design to compensate for such missing elements. The final product is the important part... not adherence to the formula. Trees must have balance and grace. But there is balance in unbalance and symmetry in asymmetry. No two people will create the same bonsai in the same way that no two people would paint exactly the same picture of a bowl of fruit . Many possibilities are available in the chosen plant material. It is up to the artist to select and create the one which best serves his purpose.
This Scots pine bonsai lacked a primary branch on the right hand side. The solution which brought the tree into correct balance was to train a seconday trunk into a horizontal position thus compensating for the missing primary branch. The result is a well balanced asymetrical triangle. The design of many bonsai subjects will need to be adapted in such a way. The creation of art from raw plant material is a cooperative venture between artist and tree.
NOTE: This article and images it contains were written and photographed by Randy Clark, resident bonsai artist at the Bonsai Learning Center in Charlotte, NC. They are intended for private use only. Reproduction of this material for commercial purposes is strictly prohibited without the written consent of the author.