A literati style tree is something different from other bonsai trees that typically represent a tree style in nature. Literati is more complex, symbolic, and very strong in elegant movement as well as aesthetically pleasing. There is little doubt that it is one of the most fascinating of all styles and also one of the hardest to successfully create. Hanging in the realm between nature and vision, realism and impressionism, dream and reality, literati captures our imagination and in doing so, encompasses all that bonsai is and was meant to be.

Notes on the tree:

This Japanese Juniper (Byakushin), which is trained in the Bunjin (Literati) style, was created by Japanese Bonsai Master Kenji Miyata. When designing a bonsai one thing that Mr. Miyata-san has always excelled in is his ability to recognize the importance of negative space when choosing what branch to keep and which to remove. In the case of this tree, anything that was not absolutely crucial to the tree’s story was removed or jinned.  The photographs of the tree show a bone white colored deadwood that creates a good contrast to the tan bark of the live trunk. Overall, the composition of this Nana juniper shows a tree that has weathered the tough times and has emerged as something more beautiful because of it. The old and seasoned trunk and its low hanging branches gives one the impression of a tree that has spent its entire life by the edge of a cliff.

Working in concert with the beautiful rustic posture of the tree is an equally impressive round ‘Yixing’ bonsai pot with cloud feet (7.5”x4”).