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