Driftwood "Sharimiki"

The driftwood or sharimiki style of bonsai trees is a dramatic and powerful expression of nature's forces. It depicts a tree that has survived harsh conditions, such as disease, damage, weathering, or age, and has lost most of its bark on the trunk. The bare trunk, often with jins and shari, contrasts with the living branches and foliage that are connected by a thin strip of live bark. This style requires a careful balance between the deadwood and the live vein, as well as a suitable choice of tree species, such as pines, junipers, spruces, or olives. The driftwood style is not very common, but it can evoke a strong sense of history and resilience in the viewer.