Evrything I read about the Japanese Red Pine - Akamatsu - tells me that they are not as vigerous as the Black pine, and should not be needle thinned as much as JBP's.

Well, no one has told this old Akamatsu.... I call it  Gakushū (学習); it means 'learning' as this bonsai still bears the 'scars' of 43 years of 'trial & error'.

Gakushū (学習)