IAPLC 2024.10.18
IAPLC CREATOR’S FILE #15 Kazuma Takeuchi
IAPLC Creator’s File interviews top winners of the IAPLC, the world’s leading planted aquarium contest, and introduces the secrets of their progress and their passion for the planted aquarium hobby.
Kazuma Takeuchi
Age: 51
Country: Japan
Occupation: Faculty member
Aquarium experience: 28 years
Hobby: Trecking, sauna and designing gardening tools
Past awards:
IAPLC2022 #29
IAPLC2023 #17
Age: 51
Country: Japan
Occupation: Faculty member
Aquarium experience: 28 years
Hobby: Trecking, sauna and designing gardening tools
Past awards:
IAPLC2022 #29
IAPLC2023 #17
IAPLC 2023 WORLD RANKING 0017
Score of the earth
Aquarium Size W1,200×D500×H500(mm)
Score of the earth
Aquarium Size W1,200×D500×H500(mm)
Q What made you start the planted aquarium hobby?
One day I was really tired after work, and I stopped by a pet store to buy food for my hamster then saw an aquarium tank with plants. I was so fascinated by the colorful plants lighted up at the corner of the store. I was carried away. In that moment, I realized the exhaustion because of work was completely gone. That’ why I started to love layouts, and I have been captivated since then.
Q What do you find attractive about planted aquariums?
The way you can feel a connection to nature in daily life. I love nature, so I hike in the mountains frequently. But you have to pay attention to the temperature and safety. When it comes to aquatic plant layouts, I don’t have to worry about wild animals, bugs or sudden weather change. I can just enjoy a faint scent of soil or plants, feel the sense of water, stone and driftwoods with my own hand and focus on creating with so much joy.
Q Where do you get themes, motifs, and ideas for your layouts?
I usually get inspirations from both the beauty of nature and man-made creation, and I combine those to expand my idea. You definitely learn a lot from the vast nature, but I get a lot of inspiration from creations like art, architecture and design as well. Even some settings or concept arts from movies and games, a beauty caught by a photogra-pher or an unique design technique of an architect inspire me.
Q Do you have any special items that you use when creating layouts?
ADA LAB Hand Spray. I like the design. And I like that with just one push, I can spray a delicate mist evenly. I’m using it every day for leaves above water in a glass container.
One day I was really tired after work, and I stopped by a pet store to buy food for my hamster then saw an aquarium tank with plants. I was so fascinated by the colorful plants lighted up at the corner of the store. I was carried away. In that moment, I realized the exhaustion because of work was completely gone. That’ why I started to love layouts, and I have been captivated since then.
Q What do you find attractive about planted aquariums?
The way you can feel a connection to nature in daily life. I love nature, so I hike in the mountains frequently. But you have to pay attention to the temperature and safety. When it comes to aquatic plant layouts, I don’t have to worry about wild animals, bugs or sudden weather change. I can just enjoy a faint scent of soil or plants, feel the sense of water, stone and driftwoods with my own hand and focus on creating with so much joy.
Q Where do you get themes, motifs, and ideas for your layouts?
I usually get inspirations from both the beauty of nature and man-made creation, and I combine those to expand my idea. You definitely learn a lot from the vast nature, but I get a lot of inspiration from creations like art, architecture and design as well. Even some settings or concept arts from movies and games, a beauty caught by a photogra-pher or an unique design technique of an architect inspire me.
Q Do you have any special items that you use when creating layouts?
ADA LAB Hand Spray. I like the design. And I like that with just one push, I can spray a delicate mist evenly. I’m using it every day for leaves above water in a glass container.
Q In the process of creating your work, are there any difficulties or points you had to de-vise?
To deliver an impressive composition, I was looking for a way to hang layout materials. I couldn’t find a tool or a specific approach for that, so I simply just used some wooden blocks to hang them. But I wanted to make it movable. After multiple attempts, I figured out to touch up the light stand to hang them.
Q What are the key points when selecting aquatic plants and fish species?
When I select them for contests, I focus on availability and ease to maintain. It’s essential to know each of their characteristics. By knowing them better, you can handle unexpected issues calmly.
Q What do you keep in mind when you create layouts?
I’d like to make a comfortable environment for fish with thriving plants while creating an impressive image of it. But sometimes I pay too much attention to visual aspect and end up not having enough time for plants to grow. It’s a challenge every year.
Q Do you have any secrets to be the top ranker in the contest?
I think getting opinions from people actively is important. This is something I struggle frequently, but when you create alone, you get a tunnel vision and become biased, making you unable to decide things objectively. By taking advices, you let go of your stereotype and gain a new sight.
To deliver an impressive composition, I was looking for a way to hang layout materials. I couldn’t find a tool or a specific approach for that, so I simply just used some wooden blocks to hang them. But I wanted to make it movable. After multiple attempts, I figured out to touch up the light stand to hang them.
Q What are the key points when selecting aquatic plants and fish species?
When I select them for contests, I focus on availability and ease to maintain. It’s essential to know each of their characteristics. By knowing them better, you can handle unexpected issues calmly.
Q What do you keep in mind when you create layouts?
I’d like to make a comfortable environment for fish with thriving plants while creating an impressive image of it. But sometimes I pay too much attention to visual aspect and end up not having enough time for plants to grow. It’s a challenge every year.
Q Do you have any secrets to be the top ranker in the contest?
I think getting opinions from people actively is important. This is something I struggle frequently, but when you create alone, you get a tunnel vision and become biased, making you unable to decide things objectively. By taking advices, you let go of your stereotype and gain a new sight.
Q What makes people submit for IAPLC? What do you think is the best part of this contest?
Compared to traditional art like painting and carving, the way aquatic plant layout present is still new. It’s a fascinating contest because you get to enjoy the evolution of presentation even as a viewer. Participating in this contest is challenging, but you’ll stand on the same stage as creators all over the world, and you’ll be inspired by each other and enhance your creativity. As you keep up with it, you will get a lot of growth opportunity. That is the best part of this contest.
Q If you belong to an aquarium club, please tell us about its activities.
I’m in CAJ, Creative Aquascape Japan. We share information regarding aquariums and advise each other on contest submissions. It’s motivating and full of things to learn. The presence of my peers is not just a daily joy, but also a great encouragement in the creation of contest entries. I’m also the president of Aquascaping Club of Kyoto Seika University, which is a fictional department organized by Katsuki Tanaka.
Q Please give a message to all planted aquarium enthusiasts around the world.
I’m truly happy to have companions I can share the charm of aquatic plants. I’m looking forward to continuing to enjoy this passion and spreading the enchantment of them together with everyone!
Compared to traditional art like painting and carving, the way aquatic plant layout present is still new. It’s a fascinating contest because you get to enjoy the evolution of presentation even as a viewer. Participating in this contest is challenging, but you’ll stand on the same stage as creators all over the world, and you’ll be inspired by each other and enhance your creativity. As you keep up with it, you will get a lot of growth opportunity. That is the best part of this contest.
Q If you belong to an aquarium club, please tell us about its activities.
I’m in CAJ, Creative Aquascape Japan. We share information regarding aquariums and advise each other on contest submissions. It’s motivating and full of things to learn. The presence of my peers is not just a daily joy, but also a great encouragement in the creation of contest entries. I’m also the president of Aquascaping Club of Kyoto Seika University, which is a fictional department organized by Katsuki Tanaka.
Q Please give a message to all planted aquarium enthusiasts around the world.
I’m truly happy to have companions I can share the charm of aquatic plants. I’m looking forward to continuing to enjoy this passion and spreading the enchantment of them together with everyone!