A single branch can have more than one term applied to it.

 

Yaku-eda~ 1: DESIREABLE BRANCHES:

Eda-Jin~ Weathered (driftwood) branch

Ichi-no-eda~ First branch from bottom up

Ni-no-eda~ Second branch from bottom up

San-no-eda~ Third branch from bottom up

Yon-no-eda~ Fourth branch from bottom up

Futokoro-eda~ Smaller branch cradled by larger

Kiki-eda~ Focal or show branch

Koe-eda~ Very fine, twiggy branches

Mae-eda~ Front branch

Ochi-eda~ Drooping branch

Sashi-eda~ Largest branch

Uke-eda~ Counterbalance branch

Ura-eda~ Back branch

Bonsai Branches

Below is a list of Japanese terms used in bonsai. While it certainly isn't a requirement to speak Japanese in order to enjoy the hobby, you will often hear enthusiasts using these terms while talking about or describing their trees. Some are used often while others are rarely heard. There is also an inspirational bonsai gallery with pictures to provide examples for some of the terms.

Japanese Bonsai Terms

& Photo Gallery

Bonsai Terms Japanese

Ime-eda~ 2: UNDESIREABLE BRANCHES:

Hara-eda~ Belly (inside trunk curve) branch

Kannuki-eda~ Bar (aligned across trunk (+) branches

Kasanari-eda~ Overlapping branch

Kuruma-eda~ Spoke like branches

Mae-eda~ Front (straight forward) branch

Sakasa-eda~ Opposing branch

Tachi-eda~ Upright standing branch

3: Bonsai Roots

Nebari~ Exposed roots

Bankon~ Tight massed roots as one.

Kata-nebari~ One-sided roots.

Shiho-Happo Nebari~ Roots in all directions.

4: Bonsai Size

Keshi-tsubu up to 2.5cm = .98 inch

Shito~ 2.5 to 7.5cm. = .98 - 2.95 inch

Mame~ Tiny 7.5 to 15cm. = 2.95 - 5.9

Shohin~ small 15 to 20cm. = 5.9 - 7.87 inch

Myabi~ 15 to 25cm. = 5.9 -  9.84 inch

Kifu~ 20 to 40cm. = 7.87 - 15.74 inch

Katade-mochi up to 40cm. = 15.74 inch

Chu~ 40 to 60cm. = 15.74 - 23.62 inch

Dai~ 60 to 100 cm = 23.62 - 39.37 inch

Omono~ Large up to 120cm. = 47.24 inch

Bonju~ Garden size over 100cm. = 39.37 inch

5: Bonsai Styles

Bankan (BAHN-kahn) Coiled trunk

Bunjin-gi (Boon-JIN-gee) Literati

Chokkan (CHOH-kahn) Straight trunk

Fukinagashi (foo-kee-NAH-gah-shee Windswept

Gokan (GOH-kahn) Five trunk

Han-Kengai (HAHN-ken-guy) Semi-cascade

Hokidachi (Hoh-KEE-dah-chee) Broom

Ikadabuki (Ee-kah-DAH-boo-kee) Raft

Ishizuki (ee-SHEE-zoo-kee) Root over rock

Kabudachi (ka-boo-DAH-chee) Clump

Kengai (ken-GUY) Cascase

Literati (Long trunk with the green high up

Myo-gi (Mee-OH-gee) Curved Informal trunk

Niagara (Nay-AY-gah-ree) Raised root

Netsuranari (Nayt-SOO-rah-nah-ree) Sinuous linked roots

Saikei (say-KAY) Tray landscape

Sankan (SAHN-kahn) Triple trunk

Shakan (SHAH-kahn) Slanting

Sokan (SOH-kahn) Twin trunk

Yose-ue (yo-SAY-oo-ay) Group planting

6: Bonsai Trunk

Jin~ Removed bark to create weathered appearance.

Kobu-miki~ Knobby trunk

Koboku~ Large old trunk

Sabakan~ Split or hollowed trunk

Sharimiki~ (Shari) Weathered (driftwood) trunk

Tachiagari~ Lower part of trunk

Ten-jin~ Weathered (driftwood) top

(5)Yose-ue

(6)Sabakan

(5)Yose-ue (3)Netsuranari

(5)Saikei must have  

(1)Koe-eda

(5Myogi

(6)Sharimiki