Minimalism

[bekko]

Many times in the last few months I have thought about a photo that was posted here......
http://www.koi-bito.com/forum/attach...achmentid=6066

The thread was about HenryC's new pond. The pond is VERY nice. The fish are VERY nice. But what struck me about the photo was not the quality of the pond or the fish, but the aesthetic of having a nice large pond with only a few fish in it.

This is not about gallons per fish, over/under filtration, optimum conditions for growth or conditioning, quality of koi or any of that technical crap. It's about zen.

A koi pond is supposed to be a place for peaceful meditation, contemplation and enlightenment. It is a place to relax and enjoy the fish.

Now, think about the typical koi pond seen here or in real life. They are chock-full of fish. The impression is a seething mass of red, white, black and maybe yellow. The impression is one of pandemonium and turmoil. You start looking at one fish and your attention is jerked away by five of her companions.

How are you supposed to meditate, contemplate and relax with so much activity going on in the pond? I wanna big pond with just three large fish in it.

-steveho

[dick benbow]

There are certain words that catch my eye and minimalism is probably one that does it best.

I have almost as many picture books on homes and interiors as koi magazines!

I have 4 koi in my pond. I quess it's a combination of artistic license,and a zen like understatement that less is more.

[Mike T]

Bekko:

As you know, our pond is 17.5L x 7.5w stocked with 6, 25+" koi... Looks great but after reading your post, I wonder if it would be more zen like with only 3 koi... Wife has been pushing to remove the bridge to make the pond surface look larger.... Hmmmmmmmmmm

Thanks for the post....

Aloha! Mike

[Steve Nguyen]

meditate with eyes wide open?? I thought people close their eyes when they meditate so how can they see any fish?

if I have a large pond, I stock it until I can't see the pond bottom.

Steve

[Mike T]

Steve:

If what you say it true, then there wouldn't be any Zen gardens because you couldn't see them with your eyes closed ... Know you're only kidding, as zen is a mind thing...

Have seen ponds like yours and like them too... Just not as peaceful a a pond with only a few koi swimming slowly from side to side and around the edges... I'm lucky that we have two ponds one with 6 koi and one close to yours with 11 in 1500 gallons, no matter where we look there's a koi...

Aloha! Mike

[kingkong]

Quote: Originally Posted by bekko Many times in the last few months I have thought about a photo that was posted here...... http://www.koi-bito.com/forum/attach...achmentid=6066 The thread was about HenryC's new pond. The pond is VERY nice. The fish are VERY nice. But what struck me about the photo was not the quality of the pond or the fish, but the aesthetic of having a nice large pond with only a few fish in it. How are you supposed to meditate, contemplate and relax with so much activity going on in the pond? I wanna big pond with just three large fish in it. -steveho

Zen could be invited into that pond steeeho. Give me my shopping list and we can turn this example into harmony shibusa style.
bamboo sleeve fence
bamboo pedestrian fence
bamboo furniture
Genko-ji Lantern 6 ft.
8 x 8 foot podocarpus bonsai styled tree in pot
3 large stones

[bekko]

That stuff would not go with our decor....

[kingkong]

Bekko- I got a podocarpus that would make you turn that old stump into into firewood. LOL I know, what you have is very special and natural and never could be duplicated which makes your set-up very charming and relaxed compared to the Western approach of doing things sometimes, but we are learning. I still say you would sit down for some tea after turning me loose with my list of goodies. Nice pond Steve!
Gary

[Brutuscz]

WHAT...I can still see the bottom of my pond?? Thats not right....need more koi!!! Just add another filter...they'll be fine!!

[maryland_ponder]

I think there is a big difference between minimalism & Zen. All people are different when it comes to their Zen. It’s just like some people can work & concentrate with the Television blaring while others need silence. What is Zen to some may be chaos to others. With respect to minimalism that too is interpretive. What I perceive as minimal others would see as excessive. Its all about what makes you as an individual happy & what is most pleasing to your eye. To me...any pond is pleasing in some way or another.