I agree with what you say, Rockm. A Japanese teacher will likely say nothing beyond, "no, this is not right." or "see how this one is better?" In this case, it is up to the student to try and grasp why this one is not right and this one is better.
I also believe that this sort of thing is not best approached in a book or in a discussion forum - as far as working to help others understand elements of how to apply such concepts to their work. If you saw my web-book, you will notice that I do not directly address
wabi/sabi. Part of this is because unlike most conventions of artistry,
wabi/sabi is something that is achieved differently in each case, from tree to tree - from display to display. Trying to cover the myriad ways of introducing such qualities into bonsai composition or display composition would be nigh on to impossible. Also, I'm just a student and am still working to try and be successful at such things. I don't want to mislead anyone by mistake.
I hope that more of us become interested in such things and find skilled and talented teachers from which to absorb this sort of know-how.
Kind regards,
Andy Rutledge
www.andyrutledge.com/palaver/main.htm
zone 8, Texas