Koto-Hime Dwarf Japanese Maple

Here is a real challenge, trying to establish an Identity and Classic look, maybe Formal Upright ???
This Koto-Hime is 8 1/2 years old, I have been Shaping, Wiring, Pruning for almost 4 years and still not sure where it is going ??? It's in Fall color and starting to drop leaves, I have cleaned ground for pictures...
The Koto-Hime is 11" Hx12"W with a 3/4" Trunk...
Comments appreciated.

Why not train it in a more natural style for maples with branches coming up out of the trunk and spreading to form a rounded crown. That is what it look like it wants to be to me.

For the record I am styling some maples like that and some in more of the pine-tree style with horizontal branches and a fairly formal branch structure (even if the trunk is more of an informal upright). Frankly I like both styles - it adds some variety to the benches. I am having more trouble styling pines in the less formal style, but making some headway. One of these days I will post some pictures.

if it were mine, i would concentrate on doing whatever i could to chase the foliage back and get some subtle movement in the branches.

your branches and trunk line have long empty stretches with no foliage, movement or character

kevin stoeveken wrote:if it were mine, i would concentrate on doing whatever i could to chase the foliage back and get some subtle movement in the branches.

It shouldn't be too difficult, there are lots of buds down the branches that wil burgeon out if a branch is cut back.

It would be interesting to see it leafless on 4 sides: I'm sure you would get different answers on what to cut, etc., that could help you improve its shape according to your own taste.