Right flow Japanese Maple. In display the accent piece would be to the right. Luis Vallejo Bonsai Museum, Spain.

Left flow Chinese Hackberry. Luis Vallejo Bonsai Museum, Spain.

A common comment is, “The majority of my bonsai flow to the right”. Just this week we did an inventory of right vs. left bonsai on the benches here at Crataegus Bonsai, and our results support this observation.

41 bonsai flowed left. 63 flowed right. Which makes 65% with a right flow.

The next question is, “Why?”

One theory is how we read. That because we read left to right we are predisposed to “see” bonsai as right flow objects. Might be. 

I’ve wondered if when we select trees—when we are choosing material—we choose them through the lens of how we read. That maybe our preferences predate the styling of the tree.

Another idea tossed about is handedness. That because most of us are right handed (I am) we create more bonsai weighted to the right.

I’ve never done a flow inventory in Japan. Until recently the Japanese were strict in their schooling, forcing kids to write with their right hands. Not anymore. But if handedness in flow were true I think we’d see a strong bias there to right flow. 

The last question would be “Does this matter?”

It may, if you enjoy setting up bonsai displays of multiple trees. Not only does a bonsai have flow, but a display does as well. Outdoors, with a group of posts, the bonsai on the ends should flow inwards or the display looks haphazard and in disunity. 

Even in my large bonsai garden with lots of options I often have trouble setting up a display with the appropriate flow, if I wish for a wide mix of species. 

In the garden of David Benevente, Spain. Notice the flows of the outer trees, which flow to the inside. 

I’d be curious to hear your thoughts and the flow percentages in your yards!