[John N.]

I have a feeling many US people don't really know what encompasses a Dutch tank. As Anti-Pjerrjot mentioned, the Nature/Japanese Style is more open to interpretation and has more variety to it. The Dutch aquascaping style adheres to hard fast rules, that not only demand a large variety of perfectly trimmed plants, but require following defined artistic rules such as the rule of thirds, plant grouping focal points, and the depth perception by plants alone.

This is opposed to the Japanese style were the artistic focus is more about natural harmony within the aquascape. Hardscape (rocks and wood) are used to acheive eye movement instead of plants. In most cases, I would say this style is less demanding than European styles becauses the plant selection usually consists of more slower growing plants and a fewer number of species.

The point here is marketing the Japanese style is one component. But I think the overall ease of the Japanese style compared to others is an attractive quality to many aquascapers, especially here in the US.

-John N.