Hi George, nice and clear info for all to read
Me and you appear to have the same enthusiasm for Japanese culture,philosophy and design!
Here is a good book that goes into rock aranging and the art of Zen design its called The New Zen Garden and is very imformative and insparational. An other is The Modern Japanese Garden wich i think you will also like a great deal.
To your "Sanzo-Iwagumi". From what i understand the philosophy is that one great buddah ( the biggest stone ) has two lesser buddahs ( smaller rocks ) leaning into the great buddah whilst praying. This IMO can be positioned to which ever way the rocks work best to represent this philosophy.
San - 3
Zon - tower/pillar
Iwa - Rock
Gumi - Group/Formation
Im not sure about your rock arangment. I think ( constructive ) the rocks arnt quite right. They appear to be to similar in size.
Im sounding really picky im sure
If it were me, I would move the biggest rock to the back ( right behind where it is at the moment ) and move the stone at the rear/right to the front ( in front of where it is at the mo .) and change the two other stones for slightly small ( if possible ). I think this will help you see the triadic shape from the front as well as above and increase the illusion of depth.
My pennys worth.
R,
Graeme. |