Bonsai Styles: Informal Upright – Moyogi, Takichi
by Rocky Mountain Bonsai Society member Stefan Rausch
Similar to the formal upright style, branches progress regularly from largest at the bottom to smallest at the top. The trunk and branches incorporate visible curves, but the apex is located directly above the trunk’s entry into the soil line. Branch placement is identical to formal upright (Left, Right, Back Branch) although this progression may be broken where the irregular shape of the trunk. Its noted specifically for its branches that grow from the outer side of the curves or bends.
Advantages of Moyogi
Trees in this style create a very beautiful flowing image which is very inviting to the viewer and the ability to use the trees movement and flow and incorporate it into your Bonsai design. A slight advantage to this style is the ability to find bonsai stock or Yamadori (Which have been collected by licensed collectors) that truly conform beautifully to this style. We like to see angles in the trunk of informal upright, to give a rough idea, at about 1/5th and 3/5th height bending back towards the center to give harmony.
Disadvantages of Moyogi
How to decided how to grow. If grown as bonsai stock nice bends and branch placement will have been ingrained into the tree from a very young age. Where if we have Yamadori lots of times (if not every time) large bends have to be put into branches to harmonize with the bends nature has put into the tree. We want to see the apex sitting over the main branch flowing with the trunk, this is difficult but ideal.
Suitable Species
Most species of plants are suitable for this style. From deciduous to coniferous from tropical to pine, anything you can think of. Fruiting trees can be utilized for this style. Most common trees for this style bonsai are:
- Trident Maple (Acer Buergerianum)
- Japanese Maple (Acer Palmatum)
- Beech (Fagus sp)
- Crab Apple (Malus sp)
- Pomegranate
- Conifers
- Japanese White Pine
- Black Pine
- Ponderosa Pine
- Juniper (Juniperus sp)
Stefan Rausch was born and raised in Colorado, growing up hiking, hunting and fishing dominated most of his time ingraining his love for the Rocky Mountains. He started working with all types of plant material at an early age working his way up to a full time position in horticulture at one of Colorado’s most premier country clubs. His brother saw this interest and soon invited him to a local bonsai show, this is where for the first time he saw the possibilities and artistic expression of bonsai and what could be done with local Rocky Mountain material. He is truly passionate about the progression and future of Bonsai as an art form, especially here in the United States. Stefan has been lucky enough to learn first hand from some of the best Yamadori collectors and Bonsai Artists such as Larry Jackel and Harold Sasaki.