Informal Upright

The informal upright style is common in both nature and in the art of Bonsai. The trunk grows upright roughly in the shape of a letter ‘S’ and at every turn branching occurs. Tapering of the trunk must be clearly visible, with the base of the trunk thicker than the higher portions.

Bonsai Styles - Informal Upright Style (MOYOGI)

	This is the most popular style of MOYOGI.
	Balanced by placing apex straight above the center of truck base.
	Slanted trunk upright style. SHAKAN-MOYOGI. The balance is broad with a very stable base.
	A slanting trunk, balanced by a strong first branch that is forced extremely downwards.
	A heavy, stocky first branch will balance strong s preading rootage.

Bonsai Styles - Slanted Trunk Style (SHAKAN)

SHO-SHAKAN. The first branch is placed on the slanted side of the trunk, with the branches on one side slightly upwards, and on the other side slightly downwards.     SHO-SHAKAN. The first branch is placed in the opposite direction of the slant.     CHU-SHAKAN. The first branch is pulled back to the base of the trunk in order to balance it.     DAI-SHAKAN. The first branch is placed in front and spread to both sides of the trunk, and yet, it does not pierce the eyes.     SHAKAN KOBOKU. Slant style-old stocky trunk. Canyon live oak (golden cup oak). Quercus chrysolepis Liebmann.

Images and content taken from from "Bonsai Techniques I" by John Yoshio Naka under express permission from the author. Dallas Bonsai holds all content and material rights reserved. © 2001 DallasBonsai.com.