Natural style or Japanese style bonsai?

[Sammy D]

Im a beginner in bonsai and i am at a bit of a cross roads. On one hand bonsai looks very defined like the Japanese bonsai which i must add is what i thought was bonsai. Now i see a whole lot of information on naturalistic bonsai. Naturalistic looke easier with less wire while Japanese bonsai looks more skilled and refined. What im asking is what is people's thoughts on this matter and is naturalistic the way of the future or stick with what most know as bonsai ( Japanese style). ?

[Bonsaiforest]

Hi Sammy D...Here is a recent & still ongoing post in relation to your questions...I'm sure that after a long read you'll have all the information you need to help you decide on which path to follow...It's all personal choice...Not really a right or wrong when you design and shape your own bonsai...In general the style you choose to follow is for your own enjoyment...So enjoy...

Here's the thread
viewtopic.php?f=106&t=20659

[Pearcy001]

Why not buy two trees and do one of each!

[Andrew Legg]

I had the pleasure of a 45 minute chat with Ryan Neil earlier this week, and one thing he said to me is that he looks forward to the day when American bonsai develops its own unique identity. You can read into that what you want, but the one thing you should know is that "bonsai" is more than a Japanese art form now. It's a global phenomenon. Oh, and don't fool yourself into thinking that the Naturalistic style is easier than the Japanese style. There is no right and wrong in this, so follow the path you find gives the most visually attractive outcome, and enjoy it. Don't get bogged down by styles. Learn aesthetics and the artistic principles of design (not bonsai specific), and then learn the horticulture of bonsai, and let the trees guide your designs.