Semi-cascade: below the rim, above the base
Han-kengai sends the principal line over the pot edge but keeps its lowest point above the container’s bottom. The tree can feel as if it grows from a bank or ledge. Its upper section must still establish a clear origin and visual balance; the falling portion should read as one continuous line.
Literati: a line with deliberate sparseness
Bunjin-gi emphasizes a slender, often expressive trunk with relatively few foliage masses. Empty space is active: it lets the trunk movement remain visible. Sparse design is not permission to leave a tree weak, underfed or unfinished. Live growth must support the chosen line, and the composition should have a clear point of tension and release.
Different structures, different risks
A tree suited to han-kengai needs branches and trunk flexibility positioned for a descending composition. A literati candidate may have a compelling line but still needs healthy foliage and enough branching to sustain itself. In both cases, display height, container and the direction of movement influence whether the design reads clearly.
Use styles as questions
Ask where the visual center sits, how the trunk moves, what space the tree leaves open and whether the roots support the chosen direction. Those questions are more useful than trying to memorize one “correct” silhouette.
Historical archive record