Semi-Cascade Style
The tip of a semi-cascade, like the cascade, projects over the rim of the container, but does not drop below its base. The style occurs in nature when trees grow on clifs or overhang water.
Semi-Cascade (Han-Kengai)
As the name suggests, a semi-cascade is basically the same as a cascade - involving the same principles, however the tree (growing tip) does not drop below the base of the bonsai pot.
Semi-cascade bonsai generally have an apex or head of foliage above the downward branches, representing a lower branch or tail of the tree. Incorporating a back branch in the head adds depth that is difficult to create on the lower branches.
Semi-cascade HAN-KENGAI style with weeping branches.
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.
Semi-cascade Style (Han Kengai)
The trunk descends below the rim of the pot but not below the bottom of the pot. Representing a tree growing over riverbanks from a rock-outcrop, where the branches grow almost horizontally over the water surface.
The "semi-cascade" bonsai style. One of the basic styles. The trunk grows straight for a while and then cascades down at a slight angle, not as dramatic as in the cascade style. (See also section Bonsai styles in Encyclopedia).
Hari gane kake ...
The "Semi-cascade" bonsai style. Simulates a tree subject to harsh winds, where the branches and trunk of a tree are swept to one side but not fully weeping.
This semi-cascade style bonsai was purchased as a starter plant in 2004 from the Wariapendi native nursery (near Yerrinbool). The tree was potted into a bonsai container in 2006. The tree has flowered each year.
In the semi-cascade style, the tip remains above the level of the "ground".
However, this category is not sharply defined, since some han-kengai will have portions that are below 'ground level', while others will project out horizontally.
Styles Semi-cascade, cascade, root-over-rock, clump styles in medium to large sizes.
Other notes Parthenocissus are very soft-wooded so exposed deadwood can rot very quickly unless protected or removed.
Cascade and semi-cascade are modeled after trees that grow over water or on the sides of mountains. Semi-cascades do not lean as far downward as the cascade style.
Cascade and semi-cascade - Kengai and han-kengai
Literati - Bumjin-gi style
Traditionally, juniper, spruce and pine are used in this elegant style.
Bonsai Style - Semi-cascade
Bonsai Pot Shape - Square, hexagonal, octagonal,deep square, deep hexagonal, deep octagonal
Bonsai Style - Cascade
Bonsai Pot Shape - Square, hexagonal, octagonal,deep square, deep hexagonal, deep octagonal ...
Han-Kengai - a traditional Japanese bonsai style; also called semi-cascade. Where the branches and trunk of a tree are swept down to one side, but not below the top lip of the container; illustrating a tree subject to violent winds and weather.
36.
Han-Kengai Bonsai Style - Semi-cascade
Another variation of the Kengai Bonsai style is the Han-Kengai or semi-cascade style. This particular variety is often categorised separately. However, both styles are very popular.
The semi-cascade style, just like the cascade style, is found in nature on cliffs and on the banks of rivers and lakes. The trunk grows upright for a small distance and then bends downward.
In the spring of 2001, I continued to follow my semi-cascade plan with determination. The tree had failed to grow new roots higher up the tree while growing in the deep container so I repotted it in a shallow container.
There are other bonsai tree forms as well, such as cascade and semi-cascade. These forms are not as well defined as some of the others that we have already discussed.
Style : Mix of Informal Upright and Semi-Cascade style
Techniques Used : Planted in ground for several years to achieve strong trunk. Severe recent branch pruning to define shape and general structure.
chokkan (formal upright), moyogi (informal upright), shakan (slanting), fukinagashi (windswept), han-kengai (semi-cascade), kengai (cascade), sharimiki (driftwood), hokidachi (broom), benjingi (literati), sekijoju (root-on-rock), ...
The 5 main styles - formal upright, informal upright, slanting, cascade and semi-cascade can all be used.
Some of the other styles that can be applied are twin trunk, root over rock, clasped to rock, group, broom, literati, windswept and exposed root.
The five basic bonsai styles are formal upright, informal upright, slanting (or windswept), semi-cascade and cascade. All have their own individual beauty and serenity. They are :
1. Formal Upright
2. Informal Upright
3. Slanting
4. Cascade
5.
General Information: This juniper has a low, spreading habit that makes it ideal for cascade and semi-cascade styles. Specimens grown in a nursery or specifically for bonsai can be used for many styles, but probably not for formal upright.
Cascade-style, or Kengai, bonsai are modeled after trees which grow over water or on the sides of mountains. The apex, or tip of the tree in the Semi-cascade-style, or Han Kengai, bonsai extend just at or beneath the lip of the bonsai pot; ...
The apex, or tip of the tree in the Semi-cascade-style, or Han Kengai, bonsai extend just at or beneath the lip of the bonsai pot; the apex of a (full) cascade style falls below the base of the pot.
A Criterion was established for six styles, Formal Upright Informal Upright, Slanting, Full Cascade, Semi-Cascade and Windswept. From this work critique forms were made to use when looking at the tree. Eight categories were determined for evaluation.
tapered trunk, beautiful aged bark
thick dense foliage, in clusters
balanced branches in scale tree size
5 traditional Bonsai shapes:
formal upright
informal upright
slanting
semi-cascade
cascade Tray landscapes ...
Basically the bonsai tree can be styled as to whatever way you want it to be. Some of the most famous or common ones would be the formal upright, informal upright, cascade, semi-cascade, raft, literati, and group or forest styling.
Two other styles that are offshoots are Dai Kengai, the formal cascade, where the first branch plunges down below the bottom of the pot, but the rest of the branching proceeds as a Formal upright, and Han Kengai, or Semi-cascade, ...
Pots for cascade, semi-cascade and flowering bonsai are deeper than others.
 See also: Cascade, Bonsai, Style, Plant, Trunk
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