Age: about 50 yrs Height: 95 cm
Momiji
(Japanese Maple)

Bright reddish leaves cover a ”De-Shojo” momiji tree in the budding season in April, as shown in a photo. Most of those leaves turn green in summer, but some remain red. They turn red again in autumn before the tree loses leaves toward winter.

The name of ”De-Shojo” comes from the human-like imaginary animal ”Shojo” which is said to be fond of alcohol. The word Shojo sometimes refers to a heavy drinker or something red. The tree is called ”De-Shojo” as it is red when its buds come out (me-ga-deru). It is quite an exquisite naming.

The tree form of the nine-trunk ”De-Shojo” is well-balanced. Also superb is the combination with an old-fashioned ”shiro-kochi” (white Cochin ware) container. The tree figure is particularly beautiful as it is repotted.

The colorful tree, which measures nearly 1 meter high, could attract bonsai lovers in the spring budding, early-summer greenery and autumnal foliage seasons. Its wonderful trunk curve lines suggest how dignified it would appear after being defoliated.

translated by Kyodo News