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Japan has been known for Ikebana (Japanese flower arranging) and Bonsai for ages, but now planted aquariums are coming on to the scene. One might think, what does Bonsai have to do with planted aquarium? To the Japanese, the art of planted aquariums must be structured, organized, and disciplined. To the Westerner, a planted tank might just be used for biological balance and not aesthetic virtue. In this article I will help explain the discipline of the hobby in Japan, and a little bit about the plethora of planted freshwater aquaria goods that aids this hobby. It wasn't until the early '80's that planted freshwater aquariums started to catch on. The Japanese quickly picked up the knack for arranging plants in an aquarium. And why not? This is from the same people that sculpt miniature trees into a forest, and arrange flowers and branches in a haphazard yet organized fashion. It is also not surprising that some of the best aquarium layouts in the world are 'Made in Japan'. There are even a few Japanese aquarist that have made it into the Western culture, Takashi Amano and Doshin Kobayashi to name a few. These two men alone have raised the quality of planted freshwater aquaria. How do these two men have such a huge influence in this hobby? Design and style. If one is to break down the design and style of Japanese planted aquaria one must explain Japanese religion, society, and culture to a small extent. You would think that this plays no role in planted aquaria, but in Japan those three virtues are the foundation for almost everything in Japan. Whether it's a business deal or the placement of a stand of Hygophilia, these virtues some how play a role. Let me explain. Japanese religion is basically a mix of Buddhism and Shintoism with a twist of Christianity; where as, Japanese society is broken down into elders (kohai) and juniors (sempai). This can be seen in the use of certain plants that dominate the aquascape, such as a Glossostigma lawn, and non-dominate plants for accent, like Rotala placed off center. Many aspects of religion, namely Zen Buddhism, are incorporated into freshwater plant arrangement and placement. For instance, large stones that are used in the aquarium should always be in odd numbers, i.e. 1,3,5 and so on. Also the number 4 is bad luck in Japan. This is because the Japanese word for the number four (shi) is the same word for death. The Zen approach is mostly abstract and indescribable. The study of Zen itself draws a lot from nature, so it is no surprise that Zen has an influence on aquascaping.
Takashi Amano had this to say about the Zen approach, "The Zen approach to aquascaping is difficult to put into words. Part of the aim is to turn the aquarium not into a mere reproduction of some habitat, but to assemble a composition that evokes emotion from the viewer. It is a living art, and the aquarium is the canvas. To extend the artistic analogy a bit further, a naturalistic biotope aquarium is realistic, the Nature Aquarium impressionistic.¹". This quote alone sums up the entire aquatic plant scene in Japan. The Zen style of aquascaping cannot be taught. It must be observed and built upon. But how does one learn to aquascape like Amano? It takes a keen sense of nature, and years of failure. Some of the best books to buy do not even have anything to do with aquariums. These books are about Japanese Bonsai, landscaping, stone gardens, sand gardens, and miniature gardens of Japan. To fully grasp the idea behind aquatic landscapes in Japan, one must encompass all forms of Japanese landscape and design. Takashi Amano has been asked about how he designs aquaria, Amano said it is more of an understanding of Nature than anything else. This is from a man who has a gift that he cannot explain in words. Of course this is true, but even Mother Nature has rules to follow. Japanese culture and society was built on rules and laws. Not just the rules and laws that govern the country, but cultural laws. Cultural laws are followed closely in Japan. If one does not abide by the rules and norms they will become a social outcast. In my anthropological hypothesis, I think this is where the Japanese get the discipline necessary to maintain a lush planted aquarium. And since most things in Japan are on a small scale (as compared to the XL sizes in the West) a microcosm of nature is inherently easy to maintain. I also believe that the average beginning Japanese aquarist tends to learn more about the hobby before making the 'big plunge'. I base this on the evidence of numerous aquarium related magazines available in Japan. This is not just availability, but the desire to read. It is hard to tell bookstores from libraries in this country. An all to common scene in Japan is a bookstore full of people, but rarely does anyone buy the book or magazine, they just read it in the store. Another reason why there are more educated aquascapers in Japan is because of a knowledgeable staff at most aquarium stores. In America it is all to common to find a teenage kid working in a shop with no idea of what a decent substrate might be for aquatic plants. Also, in America most shops have a poor supply of aquatic plant goods. In Japan almost all shops have people working there who know about aquatic plants. If you stump them with a difficult question they might try finding the answer for you in a magazine. And the supply of high quality plant goods is, I would bet, one of the best in the world at some shops. Not to mention the supply of aquatic plants available in Japan. One thing about the Japanese people is that they are dedicated at almost everything they do. That dedication is maintained in the aquarium hobby. As some of you might know the upkeep and maintenance of a planted aquarium can be challenging at times. Of course some beginner aquarists in Japan have thrown in the towel the first time their tank is overrun with algae, but most hang in there. Most aquarium related stores in Japan carry a wide range of products. Everything from Dupla, Dennerle, and Tropica is available at most shops. Even if one cannot find those three there is always the native brand of aquatic plant goods by Mr. Amano himself, ADA. Prices tend to be on the high side for most planted aquarium good, but you really pay for quality. Aqua Design Amano (ADA) is the most widely used planted aquarium goods in Japan. Not only is it well supported here, but well distribution as well. The prices for ADA's planted aquarium supplies are also competitive with some of the other large companies, like Dupla and Dennerle. Plus, it just makes the Japanese feel more patriotic to buy Japanese made goods. The same even applies to plants. Even with all the imported plants, there is still a good number of native plants that can survive in a tropical to semi-tropical aquarium. Blaxa japonica is one of my favorites. This is a rush kind of grass. Instead of spreading by runners it branches off by growing side shoots from the main plant. This variety of Blaxa will grow to about 6 inches with low light, and shorter under more intense light, thus making it ideal for a midground plant. Another favorite native of mine is Japanese Hair Grass, Eleocharis Sp. This is a fast growing plant that will spread new runners every few days. Due to its medium to large size,4~8 inches, it is better used as a background or midground plant. This plant prefers a iron rich substrate that is easily penetrated. In no time this plant can overrun the aquarium. Pruning must be diligent in order to control its growth. Even with the popularity of native plants imported plants are still the majority in Japan. Singapore is where Japan, and most of the world, gets most of her plants. But Tropica plants have a big following in Japan as well. Most of the plants from Singapore tend to be the mosses, bunch, and stemmed varieties. The Tropica plants are mostly the Crypts, Swords, and more of the exotic varieties. Some of the bigger shops in Tokyo carry both Tropica and Dennale plants. These shops tend to cater to the upper class aquarist in Tokyo with money to burn. Even though these shops charge more their selection is not always the best. All aquarium-only shops in Japan tend to have a decent supply of algae free plants. This is based on my visits to over 10 shops in the Kanto area. Of course my favorite is my local shop, Aqua Opa. The owner of the shop, Mr. Kamimura, is the nicest man one could meet. If he does not have a certain plant that you want he will call his distributor right then and there and check to see if they have it. Most of the time it takes no longer than a week to get a custom order. Prices at shops range from inexpensive to outrageous. Tokyo is the place to not buy plants. In Tokyo, bunch plants are smaller and more expensive, and potted plants are always smaller than some shops away from the big city. But nonetheless supply is always good. I might be looking too deep into the
hobby from an anthropological aspect, but the virtues in society has influenced
the Japanese aquascapes. I can personally recommend the Japanese style
planted tank to any aquatic plant hobbyist. Even someone that might just
be starting out might be encouraged to adopt the grace and style that goes
into a Japanese aquascape.
¹Amano, Takashi. Tropical Fish Hobbyist:
The Glittering Shores Of Paradise.
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