discobassoonist

Interesting question Chris.

I have included some passages from "Garden Guide BONSAI" byAnne Swinton (Harper Collins Publishrs. 1996)
In the introduction, she mentions that the Japanese History of Bonsai is much shorter than the Chinese.

"During the 14th century, the increasingly powerful merchant classes became interested in the little trees, with the result that in order to satisfy demand, young tress were potted and trained using a method known as 'tako'. This involved coiling and tying the trunks and branches with hemp string, to reduce the height and give a gnarled, twisted effect combined with an overall pyrmadal Shape.

From 1603-1867 Japan enjoyed a period of peace, during which the arts - including those associated with horticulture - were developed considerably. Landscape gardening reached new levels of excellence and scope for bonsai training was impoved by interest in the Southern School of painting, which was causal in the development of Literati style bonsai. For a while during this period (Tokugawa) rather grotesquely-shaped trees were condered good bonsai but, unfortunately, this fashion was a short-lived one."
This is in my oppinion where "pseudo-names" were given to ancient styles, that only a handful of people might have been interested in and continued to pass this knowlegde down through the remaining generations. In another book (and I can't find it right now) the author mentions that during this same era (1603-1867) trees were shaped to resemble images, such as ghosts and spirit. It is unclear whether they were more "topiary"-like or more "suggestive" of the image. Whether this is true or not remains to be discovered, however, early Japanese scrolls depict these images, and have thus become a Major source in both historical reconstruction, but also general research.

More importantly though, because we're researching one art-form using the records of another (paintings) one might forget that the artist has the ability to compose the images, and start a fashion. The artist could have depicted the tree first, and the bonsaist followed suit, but then again, it could've been the other way round, tree first, painting after.

To be perfectly honest, the validity of the "dragon" style is only 50/50. Which means that you can still have one in your collection. Who knows, the re-development of the gnarly and grotesque might come back into fashion someday, as so many other things do( ie. fashion, music, art, trends and hobbies....)
I hope this helps.
Cheers,
Dane