Japanese Gardening

In Japanese gardening, the focus is on nature with space and time elements worked into the theme. When creating a Japanese garden, you would only use layouts that could occur normally in nature. An example given many times is that you would not find a square pond in nature, as a result you do not find a square pond in a Japanese garden.

HISTORY OF JAPANESE GARDENS:

Garden creation & design were imported from China and Korea sometime in the 6th century AD. Two of the key elements in Japanese gardening, the use of stones & ponds, was already in use in Japan for religious ceremonies. These gardens from then on took on a life of its own and became what is today regarded as Japanese Gardening.

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Design Elements:

Japanese garden designers follow 3 basic rules: 1- Reduced Scale, 2- Symbolism, and 3- Borrowed Views.

Reduced Scale:

This means to miniaturize natural views of rivers, ponds, and mountains to unite them in a confined area.

Symbolism:

Using objects to depict larger scenes such as using stones to represent a mountain or white sand to represent the ocean.

Borrowed Views:

This is where background scenes such as an actual mountain, or ocean, are part of the Japanese garden. They are outside and beyond the garden but are still a part of it.

[1] Nature – Layouts in Japanese gardens are ones that represent true nature.

[2] Balance – On the one hand you might create an area that represents an entire ocean, while on the other hand you are balancing what you put in the garden so it does not feel out of place. An example might be too large of a boulder or other structure that just dose not fit in and overshadows.

[3] Time & Space – Japanese gardens to Westerner eyes may appear open and empty in parts. This is an important part of Japanese gardens. There must be a balance between open space and uniqueness.

[4] Garden Enclosures – A Japanese garden is a miniature version of nature. It is important to set a boundary along with a way to enter and leave the garden. Fences and gates are typical ways to create this separate world.

Design Styles:

The 3 basic designs used by Japanese gardeners are Hill and Pond, Flat Garden, and Tea Garden styles. Within these 3 styles is the formality of the Japanese gardens.

• Formal styles were used at temples or palaces.
• Intermediate styles were found at residences.
• Informal styles were found at peasant huts or retreats.

{1} Hill and Pond gardens create a visual or actual of a pond in the foreground and hills or mountains behind it. This style has Chinese influence.

{2} Flat Gardens use open spaces and comes from the use in front of temples, courtyards and palaces.

{3} Tea Gardens are both function and design. They have a water basin as well as gates.

Components of Japanese Gardens

Rocks & Stones:

The placement of your stones sets the stage for the rest of a Japanese garden.

The basic stones shapes desired are:

• Tall Vertical Stones
• Low Vertical Stones
• Arched Stone
• Reclining Stone
• Horizontal Stone

There are 3 bad stone shapes to avoid:

• Diseased Stone – Misshapen or withered.
• Dead Stone – A horizontal used as vertical, and vice versa.
• Pauper Stone – Out of place, does not fit with the other stones.

Stepping Stones – These stones should be set 1-3 inches above the surface but solidly in place. The pathway symbolizes ones journey through life. Some stones may have various meanings such as a wider stone representing a place to stop, ponder and view the scene.

Water:

Water in a Japanese garden is both functional and meaningful. The sight and sounds of water flowing can remind us of the relentless passage of time. Water basins function as a place to perform ritual cleansing (before entering a temple for example).

Plantings:

Plants definitely play a secondary role in Japanese gardens but they are still important. They can add color and beauty but also represent the passage of time and the change of seasons.

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Gravel: Used to define a surface; often raked to imitate the flow of water.

Moss: It is so common in Japan that it would grow naturally and has become an important part.

Fences & Hedges: Tend to provide loose partitioning of the Japanese garden but rarely completely surround an area.

Boundary Stone: This is a stone that signifies there is no need to proceed further in a particular direction.

Borrowed Views: Using a background such as a mountain framed in by parts of the garden but off in the distant.