Count the number of trunks. A bonsai with more than one trunk falls into the Takan general group. Two-trunk trees are specifically referred to as Sokan, while the three-trunked tree is a Sankan. If the tree has more than three trunks, it is a Kabudachi.
Look at the roots. If the roots of the bonsai are visible above the ground, it is a Neagari.
Examine the shape of the bonsai. If the tree has a straight, upright form without any curving, it is likely a Chokkan or a Hokidachi. If the tree is slanted, it is more likely a Shakan. A twisted trunk that spirals upward is characteristically a Moyogi while a tree that cascades downward is a Kengai.
Check the symmetry of the tree branches. If the tree is perfectly symmetrical, it is likely the Chokkan. If the tree branches offshoot from the trunk like the stalks of a broom, it is probably a Hokidachi. The Moyogi is known for a spiraling trunk leading up to uneven leaves and branches.