【Zen Garden】Japanese Dry Landscape Garden Style Layout Baseboard by Narrow Gauge Shop

Hello, this is "Narrow Gauge Shop".

: Narrow Gauge Shop in Japan, with a passion for handmade products!!

The layout baseboard presented in this article is based on the motif of a Japanese dry landscape garden. Of the many garden styles available, this miniature model represents a garden style called "Zen garden".

We have made and sold over 300 layout baseboards. Some of them are available on Youtube and Pinterest, so please check them out!!

Youtube：https://www.youtube.com/user/narrowgaugeshop/videos

Pinterest：https://www.pinterest.co.uk/narrowgaugeshop/_created/

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What is Zen garden?

"Zen garden" is a garden style that expresses natural scenery and the universe with stones and sand, without using water. It spread in Japan from the 13th century onwards with the spirituality of "Wabi-Sabi".

"Wabi-Sabi" refers to the aesthetic sense and sensibility unique to Japanese culture. This Japanese aesthetic can be described as a sense of tranquillity, simplicity and, above all, a love of imperfection.

These concepts originally came from China. They have been adapted in a Japanese style and passed down to the present day.

About the framework

We have made several "Zen Garden" style layout bases. We try to make them in small sizes so that they don't get in the way when placed on your desk.

Let's start with the specifications of the micro layout baseboard!!

Size

Left：222mm x 160mm (approx. A5)
Right：270mm x 194mm (approx. B5)

There are two main sizes of framework. Both base frame materials are cypress wood panelling used for house renovation.

PSU(power supply unit)

There are also two types of power supply units.

The PSU (top image), which uses eight AA batteries, and our original PSU (bottom image), which combines 9V batteries and a PWM controller.

Tracks and Sleepers

Micro Engineering Code 55 Non-Weathered Rail
Micro Engineering Code 70 Non-Weathered Rail
FastTracks HOn30 Unfinished Wood Crossties
FastTracks HOn30 PC Board Pre-Gapped Crossties - 1/16"
PECO OO-9/HOe Narrow Gauge Track (SL-400) Code 80

Radius of track

There are two track radii, approx. 40 mm and 55 mm.

They were carefully finished by repeated fine-tuning using a track bender to ensure that the inside and outside are exactly aligned. As no adhesive is used, warping of the track over time can be corrected.

Due to the extremely small radius, it is designed for single unit running, but can also be used for coupled running by extending the couplers.

Points to note

Some of our previous work is presented below, but there is no right way to use it. You can place pebbles, plant greenery and trees. I want you to finish the diorama freely as your senses dictate.

If there is a right answer, it will be when your mind is calm and peaceful.

Zen Garden Style Layout baseboard with Tea room①

Scale & Gauge：1/80・9mm
Size ：222mm x 160mm
Tracks ：Micro Engineering Code 70 Non-Weathered Rail
Ties ： FastTracks HOn30 Unfinished Wood Crossties / PC Board Pre-Gapped Crossties - 1/16"
Radius ：approx. 40mm
Power Supply：12V(1.5Vx8) dry cell battery
Structure : 67mm x 54mm x 57mm