Matsu and shimpaku(真柏), through the passage of time, could partially decay on their trunks and branches yet still maintain their shapes. Such trunks bring out a beautiful contrast between green leaves and its revealed white, skin-like surface. The perished tips on the branches are called jin(神)and the decay on parts of the trunks is called shari(舎利). (http://www.bonsai-art-museum.jp/en/about/appreciating/)