AusBonsai

This tree has come a long way in four years and has given a wonderful display of catkins this year. it has also given me hazel nuts. I love its new pot.

Really coming along great. Its still literati to me.

Hi there.

I would say literati.....definitely

Best regards.

Johan.

It got some good growth up top now, love the twisty growth habit of the branches - is it mostly clip'n grow now?
And a provision of hazel nuts!

Is the discussion whether its still a literati or not still on?

Just my
Got some resources on literati/Bunjin specially in relation to the base diameter/height ratio needed to consider a tree a bunjin or not.
The article is from Yasushi Oonuma dating back in 1997 and can be found [ in french ] here : http://www.parlonsbonsai.com/IMG/pdf/PB ... terati.pdf
There are other articles from him here [ again in french ] : http://www.parlonsbonsai.com/Bonsaika-L ... ne-de.html

Some of the key points that struck my mind and which after some consideration seems to be what draws me towards really good designed bunjin are the following:
> It should give off a feeling of lightness and fragility, it should give off a sense of feminine grace, a sense continuity and stability while staying extremely humble and simple.
> Never heavy/bulky, or giving off a feeling of being severe/serious, nor must it be imposing/mighty/stately.
> Should not have a mighty/huge/overpowering foilage mass.

The rules that Mr Oonuma wrote [ keeping in mind a feeling of lightness and fragility ] :
1. Relationship between base diameter vs height should be less than 0.1, i.e. D / H < 0.1
2. Keep tunk bare [ no lower branches ] and keep foilage mass at top / upper section of the trunk.
3. The third part is a bit tougher to translate, but I'll give it a try. Basically, if the tree is slanted [ Shakan ] place a falling/drooping branch/trunk movement to act as a visual counter balance and to create an illusion of stability.

I've got some images from John Naka's book I on bunjin, here are not rules given in the book, but it does have several sketches [ pg 248-253 ] that tally with what Mr Oonuma wrote. If any has the book, they could look it up.

Watto wrote:Really coming along great. Its still literati to me.

Johannes wrote:I would say literati.

xtolord wrote:Is the discussion whether its still a literati or not still on?

I reckon its Literati and i am happy it lives on.

cre8ivbonsai wrote: is it mostly clip'n grow now?
And a provision of hazel nuts!

all clip and grow and an occasional pull down. I will post the nuts (if any.)

I'd say it's just an awesome tree.

Boics wrote:I'd say it's just an awesome tree.

I have to agree Boics. It looks great in real time.

Whatever you want to classify it as, its a lovely tree, bodhi.
For me I would think its an informal upright in a weeping style Regardless, its come a long way since the thread started and a bonus that its putting on a show

Mostly, it is what it is. Label not important. The foliage mass balances the feeling of the trunk very well, and you're not aware that it's just the one branch. Very nicely done. Although it's tall and relatively thin with sparse branching, I'd hesitate to call it literati. The feeling of literati is of isolation, tough conditions, and survival against the odds - for me a generous fruit tree with graceful branching doesn't quite match. It is certainly eccentric, but poised and elegant. Just my 2c. Thanks for posting.

Gavin

Hi Bodi,
I like how the tree looks now. I love the delicate weeping effect. Concerning the subject of whether it is literati. I have to agree with Gavin and Jeremy. Personally I wouldn't consider it to be literati. That said, I still think it has a great character.

Regards Ray

all there must be enough knowledge here to help return this to vigour and a positive future

note to self----read all posts before commenting -not sure if its the red wine or the port--

And again...

Really digging this tree.
Of all of your ridiculously good trees Bodhi this is one of my faves. Spectacular!

P.S. Doesn't look literati to me - especially not now.

I think it has moved beyond Literati. I think it is well balanced and styled. A real credit to you. Will love seeing this develop.

Josh