This is branch-shaping work performed after trunk cleaning and application of a sulfur compound to prepare an approximately 200-year-old wild-collected shimpaku (Japanese juniper) for entry in the Kokufu-ten exhibition. The focus is on forming the crown, demonstrating advanced techniques for wiring to avoid old wire marks, safely lowering branches during active growth when they are prone to splitting, and adjusting the positional relationship between jins and branches. It also explains how to produce exhibition-appropriate volume, how to place branches to create peek-throughs that enhance depth and three-dimensionality, and, finally, how to shape the tree into a dome form. Professional techniques and aesthetic judgment are explained in detail.
The Path to Kokufu-ten Exhibition #4 Shaping top branch styling of a Juniper
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Work Type:
Appearance adjustment, Wiring
Difficulty:
★★★★★
Tree species:
Chinese Juniper
Season:
Autumn, Spring
Instructor:
Koji Hiramatsu
0 Responses
Will this Juniper be entered into the Kokofu ten next year 2026?
Yes! It is not yet certain if it can be exhibited due to judging, but Koji is working on this juniper, planning to exhibit it next year.