Literally, trunk patterns. It refers to the curve line of a trunk that forms the basis of a tree form. Except for an upright trunk, most trunks draw curve lines in varying degrees. There are two types of ”mikimoyo” curve lines. One is a natural curve and the other an artificial one. An ideal curve line is one that is wide in the trunk root and tapers off toward the top. Tree of ”shakan” slant style and ”bunjingi” literal style draw typically gentle ”mikimoyo” curve lines. Trees of the ”kyokukan” curved style and ”takozukuri” octopus style are among those which draw strong curve lines.

translated by Kyodo News