ozzer,
sorry this post wont be as good as the original, but i guess that is the way it will have to be.
here is the link i found. they provide some pretty good info on the j. rigida. other common names for this tree are: tosho (matsu), nezu (matsu), muro, and hai-nezu. it seems that there are also a couple of cultivars out there, although no specific info is listed.
i looked up this tree in two books,
the art of bonsai, by yuji yoshimura and giovanna m. halford, and bonsai: nature in miniature, by kyuzo and isamu murata.
TAOB gives some general info about the tree. first off, the say it is an evergreen, a tree, needled, and diocious (meaning that each tree has a specific sex). suitable styles for tosho are formal upright, informal upright, slanting, semicascade, cascade, literati, coiled, driftwood, root-over-rock, clinging-to-a-rock, twisted-trunk, twin-trunk, clump, stump, straight-line, sinuous, two-tree, three-tree, five-tree, seven-tree, nine-tree, multiple group, multiple-tree, natural-group, clustered-group, and tray-landscape. the most suitable for the tree are the first six styles listed. there is also a dwarf of the species that is suitable for bonsai. tosho can be cultivated using cuttings, layering (if needed i can tell you the specific method recommended), and seed. this type should be repotted in late spring. when trimming, "pinch or pull off the top of the new bud at any time during the growing season. Example: juniper." wiring can be done anytime except early spring, but paper wrapped wire should be used and care should be taken because branches break easily. this species likes full sun, should be watered often, and needs to be protected from red spiders.
i have to get ready for work. i will get you a follow up if i have time this morning or this evening after getting home. sorry about that.
jeff