Age: about 150 yrs Height: 111 cm
Hinoki
(Japanese cypress)

Hinoki is widely used as a construction material in Japan, along with sugi (Japanese cedar). Hinoki usually grows up to 20-30 meters high. Some hinoki trees grow as high as 50 meters. That such a huge tree can be cultivated in a small, narrow vessel is one of bonsai’s enduring attractions.

This bonsai work is well known for being displayed at various events, such as the 49th Kokufu Bonsai Exhibition. On such occasions, its elegant lines draw much attention from bonsai lovers.

It represents the “moyogi” (informal, upright style), seen in the way its trunk reaches straight up from the powerful exposed roots and the fine “edajun” branch lineup. The tree, which is a century and a half old, seems to epitomize a forested landscape deep in the mountains, although it is a single tree.

It has firm “hasho” leaf features which are peculiar to hinoki. Its trunk and branches have grown bigger, compared with about 30 years ago when it was fairly round in shape with each branch cut back. It has now grown up into a form signifying how a hinoki looks in nature.

translated by Kyodo News