Jin and shari techniques are similar and consist in working deadwood (or voluntarily creating it) to reproduce what can be observed on trees in nature when they are hit by lightning or exposed to frost or heavy winds.

Jin technique refers to working deadwood on branches while shari technique refers to working deadwood on the trunk. They are both advanced techniques and require years of experience working with bonsai trees.

Jin technique

• The branch should already be dead and completely dried out
• Remove the bark from the branch to reveal and leave only the hardwood
• Use jin pliers to twist the branch and give it the desired shape
• Use sandpaper to smooth the general aspect of the branch
• Apply lime sulfur on the branch to protect it and whiten the branch

Shari technique

Shari technique is even more complex and should be done in stages (several months or years) in order to make sure that you do not remove any essential part of the trunk that would leave your tree dead.