Keikan

The "keikan" type of apex is a technique used to create a natural-looking and rounded crown on a bonsai tree, especially in the informal upright and slant styles. It involves bending a branch at the top of the trunk to one side, and developing an apex from a small branch at the base of the bend. The end of the bent branch is used as one of the top primary branches, and part of the secondary branches near the bend are trained as branches that create the apex. This way, the apex fills out empty spaces and balances the canopy. This technique is common in Japan and works best with junipers.