I went ahead and reduced height and took of branches where flares would be created. It's at the size I envision, now the long wait for ramifications to show

Good, but I would have reduced it even more.
The lack of taper in a JWP trunk makes is weak (as style is concerned).

I second clichio. On the third pair of branches from the top there are a branch going slightly upwards. My choice would be to cut just above it and use that branch as the New leader.

Disclamber.....it is your tree and should be your design in the end. My choice might not fit your vision. I havent even seen the tree live.

I envision eventually cutting back to the set of branches you both describe,I think, but I'm taking it slow. I want to see what buds get pushed out this spring with the cutback. Wound is healing nice with no sign of stress. I managed to get a nice slight movement in the trunk as well.

Slow is the way to go in bonsai.

This year I have no planned styling. Just letting everything grow. I really need to get some more mature materials to work on.

Ditto that. I'm desperately looking for raw material with some age. I have a few that I cherish, but I really want that masterpiece without paying for it. I know one day I'll stumble upon some yamadori that I'll either have rights to or be able to swindle the owner with trade of a Japanese maple that every home owner wants in their yard. Some people don't know how priceless an aged dwarf JWP is

Any feedback on my style, I have it wired. Just not sure if I should leave two branches at the first node from base.

appleaNbananas wrote: Any feedback on my style, I have it wired. Just not sure if I should leave two branches at the first node from base.

You shouldn't: that will eventually swell and become an unsightly bulge as the tree grows.