It should flair out and show the roots radiating from the trunk. This gives an appearance of age and stability. The next thing one should see in a tree is the trunk. The trunk should be thick at the base and taper continuously to its apex. A seven-tree Japanese black pine forest by Jim Tatsukawa.
Every bonsai has a front.
This is a juniper informal upright style. Guidance by Leila Kusume. A bonsai should have a prime number of trunks. This is a a triple trunk juniper given to me as a graduation present by Bill Johnson. Jin gives a tree a rugged, weathered appearance.