Well, it is not dead. I would re do the wiring, not good.
Yes, you're right. I got it wired as a gift, last year. The wire on the trunk is doing nothing to the non-movement of it.
Some cross-wiring also.
After some snapped branches, one is cautious. The wiring is old, will be cut anyway.
The branch on the left is odd, if the style chosen was literati the I might remove it.
No, I don't think you got it right; I want to get rid of the whole trunk! And keep the odd branch (wiring it differently).
The higher branches are in a cartwheel..
That's one of the reasons to chop the trunk. The other being the reverse taper.
There is also the possibility of semi or cascade.
Yes, it could be, perhaps better than a literatti, but... Still leggy.
Thanks for your comments!