Aquascaping: Drawing inspirations from Japanese gardens?

[cheeboonyong]

[quote:43172d969f="Aeon"]
I bought 3 pieces of rock for a sanzon iwagumi　三尊石組 and mountaineous look for my new rescape.

Here's how I plan to arrange the rocks.



I intend to use the smaller rock on the right to create some perspective and a mountaineous look of a valley below steep cliffs. I would most probably use hairgrass (Eleocharis Acicularis) for the far plains look with a carpet of glosso as surrounding vegetation. Amano style!
[/quote:43172d969f]

[quote:43172d969f="TanVincent"]"sanzon iwagumi" is also known as "3 buddha formation". It is a popular japanese garden formation in ancient Japan.

The basic concept in this formation is a trio of rocks with one rock being the highest and slightly in the foreground and 2 supporting rocks leaning towards the center rock.

Vectrapoint has a (IMHO not so nice) scape featuring " sanzon iwagumi" at http://www.vectrapoint.com/main/manual/bms1.html and ou can find a small description about this formation at http://www.aisf.or.jp/~jaanus/deta/s/sanzoniwagumi.htm and http://www.aisf.or.jp/~jaanus/deta/s/sanzonbutsu.htm..

hope it helps...

Cheers
Vincent[/quote:43172d969f]

Borrowed the above info from another thread http://www.aquaticquotient.com/phpBB...=129581#129581

Other than this idea about sanzon iwagumi, has anyone else tried borrowing any other ideas from other areas (need not be Jap gardens)? I would really like to hear your inspirations.

Back to sanzon Iwagumi, my imagination as of now is pretty much limited to this:

3 placed stones
Covered with either glosso or hairgrass or HC ( personally, I think hairgrass is more "mystical" look in tandem with the theme)
Background, either tall vallis or crypto balansae.

I'm having problem trying to fit stem plants into overall placement. I think it'll really create a jarring effect to the calm theme. Also, driftwoods, etc, seems to be out of place here too...

[TanVincent]

I think the softness of hairgrass will bring out the power and majesty of the 3 structures.

Anyways, try to mimic this garden....







This is a famous garden in japan called Sanzen In..

Cheers
Vincent

[Aeon]

From my limited research, Sanzon Iwagumi method uses 3 stones (which is best for 60cm tanks), 1 main big stone, slightly off-centre, 1 medium and 1 small placed at strategic positions to create a harmonious flow of energy and discipline.

In actual stone garden arrangements, plants are rarely used. so in aquarium design, where fish are present, plants are used to blend this 2 together and to neutralise the harshness of the stones' solidity.

Solidity of stone, softness of plants and motion of fish and other living organisms. 3 completely different things but flow wonderfully together.

I also find the number 3 and odd numbers are often used in arrangements. Even numbers aren't practically non-existent. Moreover the number 4 'shi' has the same pronounciation as death in Japanese.

I've seen it read as Sanzon Ishi Gumi, so not sure which is correct...

There are alot of different styles besides Sanzon Iwagumi. Check out

http://www.nexus.edu.au/divisions/cu...n/sections.htm
http://www.aisf.or.jp/~jaanus/deta/s/sanzoniwagumi.htm
http://www.jgarden.org/glossary.asp
http://www.jgarden.org/designers.asp

[crandf]

Is there an "18 luohan" or the "108 warriors of Mt Liang" formation? :P

[crandf]

Here's one with a real buddha, he seems grumpy though, maybe its because he's running out of breath
http://www.pbase.com/plantella/buddha_tank
Its plantella's tank, he plants some truly spectacular tanks.

[Aeon]

It's not my taste and I don't see anything Zenish about it. Just a wannabe design. Ok, it's Zenish in the looks but i don't feel the art and zen at all in my heart.

It's also very unnatural to have a statue in there, looks very man-made.

[vinz]

Aeon, my comments are not meant to offend.

You should find out more about Plantella before you call him a wannabe. He is very experienced in aquascaping and has been doing it for many years. In fact it is his job. He tries to develop his own style while drawing influences from others, instead of sticking to any one style.

What I'm trying to say is, just because one's work does not fit in your Zen methodology, don't discount it as a good piece in its own right. Open your mind some more. As a designer, I thought you'll be more open minded. Not all of his work appeal to me either, but I think he's got some good ideas and scapes. I find it a wonder that he can come up with so many scapes without repeating his designs too often.

As for the buddha in the tank, I think he pulled it off quite well. There's no rule that says an aquascape must be "natural looking". To find out more about that tank, and Plantella, do a search for Plantella as author at http://aquabotanicwetthumb.infopop.cc/6/ubb.x? and at http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forum (there's an interview with him here).

[Aeon]

Sorry if I came across like that.
I forgot to mention I like his other tank designs. very good. I've seen Plantella and I know he's good. He's actually one of my favourite planters / designer.
Just that I don't like this buddha tank, personal opinion.