Kirikomi
This is to sever a branch or cut it short. It is one of the ways to shape a tree and is the same as ”sentei” (trimming of a tree). When a bonsai tree is frequently cut while young and in cultivation, its trunk refrains from becoming stout and the tree’s character does not improve. Kirikomi is repeated after the trunk grows and becomes thick in size.
translated by Kyodo News