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At the risk of begging the question, how can a flaw enhance the standing of the tree? By doing so, does it not cease to be a flaw and become a point of interest or a focal point?

I am reminded of a fantastic tree that belonged to Mas Imazumi, that is now in the care of the Golden State Bonsai Collection North, in Oakland, CA. If I am not mistaken, this is a collected tree. It was shown in the last couple of years, and posted on a web forum much like this one. One of the comments exemplified the immaturity of the poster. They looked at this tree, and the only thing they could say was that it seemed to have some inverse taper at the base.

The point of this is that this tree is a masterpiece of careful collection and decades of assiduous care. To remark on what may seem to be a flaw according to the "rules" as set forth in some book or magazine is an insult to the totality of the tree. This tree was magnificent, and one may hope that it will be in the future with proper care.

What you are suggesting is that what might be called a flaw on a lesser tree would be politely ignored to show honor to this tree. Or, what might be called a flaw on a lesser tree could become a focal point of another tree. So how then can they be called flaws? Are they not character? Are they not the wrinkles that make our grandparents the beauties that they are? No one has their own face until they are in their mid to late thirties, and as we age, if we have a true perspective on what is gained through experience, we only become more beautiful. So when a bonsai has lived long enough to become venerable, it is proper to avert one's eyes when the slip is showing.