The post below is from Eishi. Hopefully he will gain access to the forum soon to answer your questions. Ben
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I do appreciate your many comments and criticisms on my aquascaping, my fellow friends !! Thanks a lot.
Ben, a good friend of mine, sent me a breaking news to me that many guys of Aquatic Plant Central had got interested in my aquascape and they had wanted me to answer their questions on its details, flora, fauna, driftwood, rocks, etc. I tried to gain access to the forum attaching my comments on its form, however, for some reason, I haven't made it yet. So I thought I am asking Ben for forwarding the contents of my own for the fellow friends so that they can get proper info on it. During this weekend, when I get some time to spare, I will give it a try again without fail. Please understand, guys.
" A Breezeway In The Valley " is the title that I made. In fact, in this layout, I tried to create the image of old trees in the flood of sunlight in the valley, through which a soft, gentle breeze are blowing all the way down to the bright emerald - green sea. And it sounds as if you can fly with the gentle breeze enjoying a slumber down to the sea, that is, utopia !
Can you imagine that way like me ? I do hope you can !
And another thing. I tried to express " something very profound " in this scene.
it's " Wabi " and " Sabi " . Wabi and Sabi are the highest aesthetic values found in traditional Japanese arts. Wabi expresses a way of being clear and calm, pursued by Sen No Rikyu who performed the art of tea ceremony as you may know. While, Sabi expressess of a way of being well - seasoned, refined, simple, which is an ideal state in Basho's Haiku ( poems in seventeen syllables). Both men tried to seek the beauty with nature staying away from complicated, somewhat annoying human relations.
I'm not sure I made it successfully or not, though, because I am just a novice or beginner on the aquascaping, five year experience, but anyway, I intended to express that mind of my own in the scene. " Simple, slim, compact and profound " is exactly what I have been pursued in my way of life.
Now, details :
Flora :
Bolbitis heudelotti with driftwood rooted on, background. Java moss ( Vescularia dubyana ) attached on the rocks on the right side.
Fissidens bryoides Hedw. ( Found in Hokkaido and mainland in japan.) , mid - ground. It's not Fissidens fontanus found by Mr. Tony Gomes in US.
Vesicularia ferriei ( background nearby the glass wall of the tank )
Fauna : Green neon
Driftwood :
Sevral old black wood ( ADA ), Boxwood branch ( Long, thin driftwood ) , which were captured in a lake in the mountain in Kamakura, Japan. 25 ~ 6 pieces.
Substrate :
Tazuna, Japanese river sand.
White sand ( imported from Malasia) and some small stones found in the river in Kamakura, Japan.