Literati Style (Bunjingi)
This style is one of the most difficult to describe and is generally considered an Artist style.
"Literati Style". This style of bonsai is generally unconventional, often breaking well established rules.
The literati style is a very old bonsai tree style named for the scholars that practiced it. These trees are meant to copy trees struggling against harsh climates.
The literati style is the hardest to define, but is seen often. The word literati is used in place of the Japanese "bunjin" which is a translation of the Chinese word "wenjen" meaning "scholars practiced in the arts".
The literati style, or Bunjin-gi, bonsai is characterized by a generally bare trunk line, with branches reduced to a minimum, and typically placed higher up on a long, often contorted trunk.
The literati style, with its emphasis on trunk line and movement, demands roots that do not detract from that movement. A literati with no root visible is better than one showing heavy roots that compete with the trunk line, figures 13 & 14.
Some other similar styles include Bunjingi or Literati Style (a few branches at the top of a long slanted trunk, usually in a small, shallow pot), and Fukinagashi Style (Windswept Style, with all the branches coming off one side of the trunk).
I have played around with various styling options but feel the literati style utilises the best feature of the tree which is the visually-pleasing, twisting trunk.
Lastly, we have a shallow round literati style pot, although this a feminine style, often the trees used for this style have masculine features i.e. rough bark and this is taken into account by adding a rough texture to the pot.
The foliage should, however, be immaculately positioned. The pots used for literati styles are generally round and comparatively small to balance the sparse foliage.
They are also frequently'rustic' in appearance, to reflect the tree's rocky habitat.
- Square Pot
For Literati styles
- Hexagonal & Octagonal
for Literati styles with symmetry ...
This interesting part of the tradition of Tree Penjing is the Literati style (called wenren mu in Chinese), and was originally created by the scholars of China as a method of self-expression.
There are several styles that are common to the art form of bonsai gardening. Among these are: the formal upright style, the slant style, the cascade style, the literati style, the forest style, the root-over-rock style.
The field maple bonsai is naturally inclined in the informal broom style, but it can also be trained in most other styles. The exception is the literati style.
Bud Burst - The stage when the leaves emerge from the bud break and start to unfold and separate.
Bunjin or Bunjinji - Literati style, free form style that is unexplainable, irrespective of rules of style, design, and growth.
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 See also: Literati, Style, Bonsai, Trunk, Plant
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