This cultivar is a unique and very rare dwarf shrub with dense star-like foliage. It is a strong but stubby growing shrub which develops an angular limb structure as it ages. The leaves lie very close together. The color is a strong green which holds well throughout the entire season and does not seem prone to sunburn. Fall colors are yellow to orange tones. 'Shishi Yatsubusa' grows 3-5 ft. in 10 years. It is reported to be very popular with Bonsai hobbyists and is of fairly easy culture. Shishi Yatsubusa is a rare shrub that it difficult to propagate because the scion wood needed to graft it is very limited. This is understandable due to Shishi's slow growth rate. 'Shishi Yatsubusa' has a resemblance to the outstanding 'Mikawa Yatsubusa'. The name means "a small lion" or "lion cub."