Japanese Garden

Japanese gardens are a cultural form of art that is meant to produce a scene that mimics nature as much as possible by using trees, shrubs, rocks, sand, artificial hills, ponds, and flowing water as art-forms.

Because the Zen and Shinto traditions are both part of this art form they have a contemplative and reflective state of mind.

The Japanese style is much different than the Western style and most would say it is far more meditational and soul soothing.

The three basic methods of scenery

==>The reduced scale, which is the art of taking an actual scene from nature, mountains, rivers, trees, and reproducing it on a smaller scale.

==>The symbolization involves generalization and abstraction. An example of this would be using white sand to suggest the ocean.

==>The borrowed views refer to artists that would use something like an ocean or a forest as a background, but which would end up becoming an important part of the scene.

The two main types

==>tsukiyama, which is a hill garden mainly composed of hills and ponds.
==>hiraniwa, is a flat area without any hills or ponds. It is basically the exact opposite of tsuiyami.

The basic elements used in Japanese gardens include rocks, gravel, water, moss, stones, fences, and hedges. Rocks are most often used as centerpieces and bring a presence of spirituality. According to the Shinto tradition rocks embody the spirits of nature. Gravel is used as a sort of defining surface and is used to imitate the flow of water when arranged properly.

Stones are used to create a boundary and are sculpted into the form of lanterns. Water, whether it be in the form of a pond, stream, or waterfall, is an essential part of a Japanese garden. It can be in the actual form of water or portrayed by gravel, but no matter what form, water is important to the overall balance.

There are several forms and types of plants that are the signature of Japanese gardens. Bonsai is the main one, and is the art of training everyday, average plants, such as Pine, Cypress, Holly, Cedar, Cherry, Maple, and Beech, to look like large, old trees in miniature form. These trees range from five centimeters to one meter and are kept small by pruning, re-potting, pinching of growth, and wiring of the branches.

Muso Soseki, famous poet and Zen practitioner, is perhaps most famous for his profound influence in this art form as spaces to cultivate awareness. He is known as saying “Gardens are a root of transformation”. A Japanese garden is sure to bring about many different feelings and is definitely a transforming experience.