Little, but wild

Bringing out the best from material with many faults

- Kinbon

The material used here is a rough juniper that has been grown from a cutting for quite some time. There are a number of branches that have been left on the tree in order to thicken the trunk and there is no clear structure or shape to be seen. So as to thicken the trunk, it is necessary to have many branches, but when considering the future as a shohin sized tree, there are too many to be useful. There are several sacrificial branches that are of no use at all in a future design. The first step is to consider trunk movement, decide on a front and overall design. Branches that are unnecessary can then be removed.

Checking the hidden character of the trunk

First Koji removes a branch growing right at the base of the trunk and a long branch growing on the former back of the tree, in order to better see the trunk and create an immediate reduction in size.

Removing these two branches allows for a closer inspection of the trunk, which shows two strong branches, one growing upwards forming the trunk and another growing towards the left side. To make an informal upright tree, both of these branches will need to be used. Another idea is to create a cascade style using just the branch on the left-hand side. In terms of the front of the tree, either side is possible for use. First, unnecessary branches will be removed on the premise that both thick branches will be utilised.

Pruning branches and considering shape