Hi Carl - thanks for posting this - it is nice to see some "doing" instead of just "talking".
First of all - I purchased very similar material at the Santa Rosa (REBS) show this weekend. The one I bought is about the same size with maybe a bit more branching lower on the trunk and more "choices" at the branch level - and I paid $35 to one of the vendors at the show.
As far as styling - I agree with the post stating that you consider shortening ALL of the branches severely - I am assuming you are thinking shohin? I also agree that two of the major branches need to go - however I would tend to be a bit cautious and wait to see what kind of back budding you get - you can always jin later when the choice becomes clearer. I am also reminded of some of the Suthin stylings recently posted - as David suggested if you wanted to use that right branch and go with a semi-cascade styling.
Our local club has a Sensei Mitsuya coming to us in September for a day long workshop - he headlined at the REBS show this past weekend. I am thinking that the juniper I purchased may be one of the trees that I offer for his help. We have been told to take more than one tree as he may not want to work on one - either because it is not healthy enough or not the right time to do the work required... I am planning to do a separate thread on the workshop next month.
BTW -I expected to find Bonsaial on his knees under one of the tables at the REBS show looking for material - but no sign of the guy - where the heck is he
