I have read this thread and the replies with interest.
Over my years of practising the art of Bonsai. One thing I have learned, its contradiction to the norm is rife.
What is conceived as normal, then this tree pops up. If you are lucky enough to have a good Bonsai Library or access to one.
You can see many pictures of different trees, lots that are considered the norm because there are plenty of them. Then you get those that are different, not new just not too many around.
Using these Books and Magazines in your approach to styling is very helpful. You will see in the stock, or Bonsai, in them, that is very SIMILAR ( I emphasized that so I would not be misunderstood ) to what you have.
I have seen a few very similar trees to this one. In books and Magazines, so it is not new just different. There for looked at differently.
If you study the Aesthetics of this tree you will see it more, by noticing the use of negative space.
JMHO cheers

Pup