Most changes of plant fiber occur in the bifurcation of braches and trunks. Therefore, the beauty of curving and delicate wood vein results from these diverse changes of each knot. Using electric tools can only remove big pieces of useless wood. For the details, manual Si-Diao must be conducted in order to create the perfect style.

Conducting Si-Diao

    The chapter will demonstrate the process of completing a juniper bonsai work of art, starting
from raw material to completing your bonsai. The following are the nine procedures:
1. Evaluating the merits and defects of materials’ characteristics
2. Confirmation of the live vein
3. Developing your plans and blueprint
4. Setting the live vein separating
5. Si-Diao of Shari
6. Arranging and Positioning branches and trunk (aluminum or copper wire is used)
7. Growing branches and developing live veins
8. Repotting in an appropriate pot
9. Preparation before exhibiting your bonsai

    Steps 1 through 6 are illustrated in the pages to follow. Better yet, come to the 2005 GSBF Convention in Anaheim on November 2-6 and see this tremendously talented bonsai artist at work. At the convention, Mr. Cheng will be doing demonstrations, bonsai critiques, and leading several workshops including one on SiDiao wood-fiber carving.

Front View. March, 1996.

The back View.

 Procedure 2: Mark the live vein that has been
ascertained with colored pens.

Procedure 3: Choose an elegant bend to be the
focus of appreciation, and draw a design
draft based on the front view of this focus.

Procedure 4: Keep the live vein and peel off the external layer of the rest.
The wood becomes smooth, without any three-dimensional impression or aged appearance.

Procedure 5: When starting the carving,
use the hook burin (E type) to determine the trend of wood fiber.

         
Use electric tools to gouge out the core of large wood
when carving the hollow knot.
　

The primarily gouged hollow knot

Use the air tool to do the detailed Si-Diao.

Last procedure: After carving the wood fiber with hand-held burins,
the Shari reveals its noble and delicate qualities, which can never be accomplished by electric tools.

Si-Diao of the Solid Trunk Shari (back view)

Back view before carving

    This tree had long veins and larger twists, so the carving should emphasize the overall twisting appearance instead of the details.

Before carving the trunk Shari with Si-Diao, start from the parts that do not need large alterations.
　

Comparison Pictures of Four Sides, from March of 1996 to February of 1999

Four side views after the primary style arrangement,March of 1996.

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