This is a good question here... They both seem appealing..Sometimes, it helps to just rephrase exactly what they see, while trying to be neutral, instead of an opinion. If you do go with a literati, although they are not rule ridden, there are some points here to address.. As a literati, the tree seems to curve away from and then towards the viewer etc.. Sometimes this, in itself, can be a distraction, sometimes, not necessarilly for the viewer, but for the artist. Everyday ,he/she will have to see this tree from the side and see how it does this S curve, not side to side, but front to back...Also, there is the sharp point as mentioned earlier. Once it is a literati, it will never be able to be anything but a literati. Not saying this in a bad way
If you go with a shohin, you are in it for a lot more work and much more time. However, I think the reward will be greater. If you do go with shohin, you will basically be starting from nothing and have to grow the whole tree. I do not say this as a deterent, but rather a positive. In the future you will look back and feel proud that you created this tree from the beginning. Also, a pine of this size and started from the beginning to get it just right, would be a highly prized bonsai.
ok...lol.. those are the facts... Now for opinion...I would probably go for the shohin and search for another tree that might make a better literati...lol..
Rob