California juniper, bunjin style

mike_p

I've been working on this Cal juniper the last couple of days. Wiring. trimming. some carving, and lime-sulfering.
This juniper used to have a lot more wood. Last year, I decided to convert it to a bunjin. After a great amount of wood removal and carving, I've reached this point.
For a long time I've wanted a bunjin Cal juniper, but they are rare. So, I decided to create one.
Next year I hope to transplant it to a bunjin pot to complete the process.
Height from pot rim is about 30 inches.

Mike

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ichibancaljun.jpg (66.4 KB, 152 views)

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Vonsgardens

Nice start Mike, I like the flow. What is the future plan for the foliage? bring it back in or keep it flowing outward? John

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hansvanmeer

Nice one Mike, it has a very personal and gentle style to it!
Hans.

mike_p

John and Hans, thanks for your kind words.
John, re. the foliage, I think it will stay about where it is, and remain fairly sparse. I want to preserve the long flowing line from trunk base to the end of the branches.

Mike

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zoot

That's very nice Mike.
I love bunjin! In many ways I think that bunjn is the hardest of all the styles to perfect.
It should look good in it's new pot. Don't forget to post a pic when you re-pot.

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Zoot

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ozzerbon

G'day Dude,

You're eight months older than I am, so probably know better, but from where I come from, every tree has dead wood, hence my dislike of deadwood, so I have taken the liberty of repainting your tree using a slightly more sutle approach, removing most of the feminine curves of dead wood which now emphasizes the windswept appearance of the upper branches, that thankfully you have not turned into artificial looking PADS.

As far as I am concerned one of those upper branches can be developed and extended downwards, running almost parallel to the trunk, well at least that's what I would do.

As to the repotting, pots looks fine to me, Junipers are thirsty blokes, well at least over here [as far as I am concerned], so I would'nt rush into using a shallower pot.

It would be interesting to see the other side [bark-side of the tree]. Call me stupid bit I think ALL trees are masculine, and particularly species that have strong survival instincts, sharp needles and or thorns, or both.

Regards,
Nigel

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00 Juniper REPAINT.jpg (36.9 KB, 30 views)

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shibu

Well, Nigel, you've done exactly the opposite of what you said. You've made the tree far more feminine in your virtual, by removing almost all of the masculine features there were on the tree.

Literati, or Bunjin, is a feminine style to begin with, so there's no problem there, but it adds to the appeal of the tree to leave it as Mike has, in my view. I see little point in making a tree look younger, if it can be avoided.

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ozzerbon

Clearly Shibu,

Masculinity is in the eye of the beholder [or choicw or whatever], I did not go further with my explanation of what I would do with this tree l, like for instance adding sharper angles, but of course not knowing what the bark side of the tree looks like I'm working blind. As to all that curving dead wood....just one word....UGH!

As to the Literati style being feminine, YEP, I've heard this myth before, but to me, all trees are masculine, and I refer to mine as blokes.

There is absolutely no personal attack intended in what I have written, it's just how this old geezer see's it.

Regards,
Nigel

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