Japanese Garden

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LINKS FOR INTRO,ELEMENTS,VEGETATION,PRINCIPLES N STUFF

https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2099_elements.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_garden
https://www.lazysusanfurniture.co.uk/blog/gardening/introduction-japanese-gardens/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_garden
https://www.slideshare.net/ShreyaSingh19/japanese-gardens-for-ppt
https://livejapan.com/en/article-a0000279/
https://www.slideshare.net/snehacoutinho/japanese-gardens-landscape-design
https://www.slideshare.net/ABHISHEKTHEHUSTLER/japanese-landscape-garden-architecture
https://www.finegardening.com/article/elements-of-a-japanese-garden
http://m.espacepourlavie.ca/en/elements-japanese-garden
JAPANESE GARDENS
INTRODUCTION
● Japanese gardens are traditional gardens whose designs are
accompanied by Japanese aesthetics and philosophical ideas.
● The art of gardening is believed to be an important part for
Japanese culture for many centuries
● The ideas of these unique gardens began during Ashoka period
● Inspired by Chinese landscape gardens of Taoism and amida
Buddhism,imported from China around 552 AD.
● Japanese gardens first appeared on the island of Honshu, The large
central island of Japan.
○ Their aesthetic was influenced by the distinct characteristics
of the Honshu landscape:
■ rugged volcanic peaks
■ narrow valleys
■ mountain streams with waterfalls and cascades
■ Lakes and beaches
INTRODUCTION
● They were also influenced by the rich variety of
○ Flowers and different species of trees
○ Particularly evergreen trees on the islands
○ And by the four distinct seasons in Japan
■ Hot
■ wet summers
■ snowy winters.
● Japanese gardens have their roots in the Japanese religion
of Shinto, with its story of the creation of eight perfect
islands, and of the shinchi, the lakes of the gods.
● Prehistoric Shinto shrines to the kami, the gods and spirits,
are found on beaches and in forests all over the island.
INTRODUCTION
● Japanese garden design was developed to promote
○ Peace and Tranquility
○ They derive their beauty by mixing and blending natural
materials from the 5 ‘key’ elements of -
■ Water
■ Rocks and Sand
■ Fish
■ Traditional ornaments such as -
● Japanese lanterns
● water basins
● plants and their surroundings.
■ Garden Bridges
● The Japanese have always had a spiritual connection with their
land and the spirits that are one with nature
○ which explains why they prefer to incorporate natural
materials in their gardens.
Ideology
The Japanese believe in the idea of
complete serenity.

This gave birth to the concept of Zen.

Being Zen is a state of absolute &


untroubled peace of mind, achieved
by meditation.
Philosophy
The Japanese are good at gardening. Their gardening tradition has been under
development for more than 1000 years, and it is far more developed and
refined than most Westerners could ever imagine.

In Japan, gardening is an extremely diverse topic that includes aspects of Art,


Architecture, Science, Engineering, History, Horticulture, and Philosophy.

One does not merely look after a garden, but guide them through their
journey.
Journey
The design and construction of a Japanese garden are just the first steps in a
very long journey.

The remainder of that journey consists of "guiding" the garden through


pruning and grooming.

100 years is a short time in the life of a Japanese garden.

We should not underestimate the importance of long-term skilled care, year


after year, for centuries
Purpose
The main purpose of a Japanese garden is to bring serenity and nature into
our crowded lives. They remind us of the natural landscape, but in fact they
are carefully controlled by man.

Traditional Japanese residences are carefully integrated environments where


the garden, house, and people all function together.

The building and the garden should feel like two halves of a whole.

The view from inside the home is very important. The view from the street is
not.
PRINCIPLES
NATURAL

The japanese gardens are designed in such a way


as it has grew on its own.

Includes all the elements.


ASYMMETRY

Asymmetry of the elements helps creating an

impression of it being natural.

EX - Plants ,hedges ,fences ,etc.


ODD NUMBERS

Odd numbers supports the


effect of asymmetry.
SIMPLICITY

Simplicity gives a sense of calmness .

Follows the idea of “ less is more “


LINES

Lines create a sense of both tranquillity and tension.


OPENNESS

Indicates interaction with all the elements.


CONTRAST

Contrast creates tension between elements.

Includes different types of rocks ,vegetation ,


colors .
Elements of Japanese
gardens
WATER
● Water is a important components of a Japanese garden.
● Japanese gardens always have water represented by a white sand,either
a
○ Pond
○ Stream
○ Dry rock garden
● orientation of ponds and the cascades are with respect to the sun to
determine how it will be reflected by the water.
● It contributes to the expression and symbolizing of -
○ Nature
○ renewal
○ Calm
○ wonder
○ continuity
● The japanese exploit the sound of water in all its various forms like
waterfalls or wash basins, creating different emotions.
WATER

● In Buddhism symbolism, water and stone are the ‘Ying Yang’ two opposites
which compliment and complete each other.
● The clear, circulating water contributes to keeping the air fresh throughout
the summer.
● The bank of the pond is bordered by rocks and in order to preserve the natural
shapes.
● Non geometrical in appearance in order to preserve the natural shapes,
man-made ponds are asymmetrical.
● The ponds and streams are carefully placed according to Buddhist geometry
to attract good fortune.

Some Japanese legends have compared the hill to an emperor, water to


courtiers and the stones to valiant officers preventing the courtiers (the
water) from intervening in the life of the emperor.
ROCKS AND SAND
● Rock, Sand and Gravel are an essential feature of Japanese garden.
● In Shinto -
○ Prominent large stones are worshiped as kami
○ Gravel was used to designate sacred grounds.
● Rocks are traditionally classified as tall vertical, low vertical, arching,
reclining, or flat.
● Stones are a -
○ symbol of duration and of the presence of the forces of the nature
○ They anchor the garden to the ground and give it its specific
personality.
● The stones are laid out in accordance with strict rules, depending on
their shapes and sizes; they often are twinned by pairs and by style
contrast (a male rock opposed to a female rock).
ROCKS AND SAND
● Stones create relief, produce hills and valleys giving birth to cascades, streams
and ponds.
● Rocks vary in size and color from each other, but not have bright colors, which
would lack subtlety.
● Rocks are arranged in careful compositions of
○ Two
○ Three
○ Five
○ Seven rocks
○ With three being the most common
○ In a three-arrangement
■ A tallest rock usually represents heaven
■ The shortest rock is the earth
■ The medium-sized rock is humanity
● Sand and Gravel are used in the Japanese rock garden or Zen Buddhist
gardens to represent water or clouds.
● Volcanic Rocks are often used to represent islands and mountains, so conical or
dome shaped.
ROCKS AND SAND
● Hard metamorphic rocks are usually placed by waterfalls or
streams.
● A jagged textured rock gives feeling of timelessness and dignity.
● Smooth rocks like water worn stones or glacial boulders convey
the feeling of antiquity .
FISH
● The idea of using fish in landscape garden is borrowed from
Chinese garden.
● Japan is a country where a large population leaves little land
available for flower gardens.
● The Japanese, therefore, have found places to grow living
freshwater fish, the colored carps.
● They appeared in Japan many centuries ago and the
Japanese have crossbreed them for over 100 years, producing
carps of high value that bring a flash of colour to the shallow
waters.
● Carps can live for up to 50 years.
● In Japanese culture, they are a symbol of strength and
perseverance.
TRADITION ORNAMENTS
STONE LANTERNS

● Stone lanterns also known as dai-doro, like the pagoda,


represents the five elements of Buddhist cosmology
○ The piece touching the ground represents chi, The earth
○ the next section represents sui, Water
○ ka or Fire, is represented by the section encasing the
lantern's light or flame
○ while fū Air and kū spirit are represented by the last two
sections, top-most and pointing towards the sky.
● Originally intended to guide the visitors during celebrations.
● Sculptured in stone, the Yukimi-gata lantern, or snow lantern
are placed near water to provide an architectural element
which contrasts with the natural components of the garden.
TRADITION ORNAMENTS
WATER BASINS

● Stone water basins, (tsukubai) were originally placed in gardens for


visitors to wash their hands and mouth before the tea ceremony.
● The water is provided to the basin by a bamboo pipe and they usually
have a wooden ladle for drinking the water.

BRIDGES

● Bridges are important part of Japanese garden.


● These are used for viewing the landscape and enjoy the nature.

PATHWAYS OR TOBI-ISHI

● Usually used in tea gardens


● Flat stepping stones served to preserve the grass as well as orient the
viewer to a specific visual experience.
PLANTS
● The Japanese show a natural ability to interpret the charm of
plants and flowers in order to express their joys and pains.
● Plants are associated with moving thoughts and the universal
forms of life.
● The care given to plants in a Japanese garden is like that given
to bonsai trees:
○ living plants are shaped to the exact form needed for the
symbolic or graphic effect one desires.
● Some plants are chosen for their religious symbolism, such as
○ The lotus, sacred in Buddhist teachings
○ The pine, which represents longevity
● The trees are carefully trimmed to provide attractive scenes, and
to prevent them from blocking other views of the garden.
● Japanese garden is predominantly green
with its use of evergreen trees .
● The trees and plants are chosen not just
for their beauty and gracefulness also for
their symbolism.
● The deep greens of pines symbolise
timeless and longevity, while the colors of
the maples and cherries reflect the
changing seasons.

VEGETATION ●


Cherry (prunus serrulata) and plum trees
are extensively used in japanese gardens.
Some other trees are Japanese
hornbeam, Japanese cornel dogwood,
Japanese cedar
JAPANESE FIR JAPANESE STRIPED BARK MAPLE JAPANESE MAPLE

JAPANESE ALDER JAPANESE ANGELICA TREE JAPANESE CHERRY BIRCH


Plum Trees – Ume

Although the cherry blossoms gained popularity almost as the


symbol of Japan, cherry blossoms used to be people’s favorite
trees. There is a lot of Japanese family crests of plum flower
motifs.

Pine – Matsu

The Matsu symbolizes perpetual youth and longevity due to its long
life-span.

Pine trees also symbolizes perseverance in Japanese gardens. They are


often “cloud-pruned,” a painstaking task that gives them a layered
look and keeps them small and tidy.

Some have an airy silhouette with widespread branches, others are


dense and compact, while still others lean over as if battered by the
wind.

The pine grove in the complex adds to the intimacy of the Garden. It
creates a quiet, cosy screen that shields visitors from outside
distractions
Japanese Maple – Momiji

It’s quite a sight to behold when we find them in autumn. Their


vivid red colors catch our eyes pleasantly and tell us we are in the
harvest season.

Bamboo

Bamboo has insinuated itself into many parts of


Japanese culture. Timber bamboo grows throughout
Japan, and when harvested, it can be used for everything
from homes and fences to chopsticks and fans.
Cherry Tree

Plant an ornamental cherry tree, and it will reward you


with four seasons of beauty for many seasons to come.

Hinoki Cypress

This is a perfect choice for an Asian garden- even the


name is perfect- and its spray of green tipped with gold
brings a wonderful authentic look.
The variety ‘ Gracilis’ is called the slender hinoki cypress
because it makes narrow column of almost horizontal
branches, and it is perfect to bring height without bulk,
and fill a corner of your garden.
Japanese Maple: The most classic of all
– Pine: An essential element for style
– Plum Yew: Perfect for shady corners
– Bamboo: Avoid it taking over by replacing
with Sacred Bamboo
– Hinoki Cypress: The most graceful of the
evergreens
– Camellia: Glossy foliage and elegant flowers
❏ Japanese gardens are generally
classified according to the nature of

Types of Japanese ❏
the terrain,
Elements like Hills and ponds, or

Gardens
simply flat ground.
❏ Each having particular features and
function.
Types
Traditionally, three main styles of Japanese gardens can be
found here in Japan:

1. Karesansui / Dry Garden


2. Tsukiyama / Hill Garden
3. Chaniwa / Tea Garden

Other profound gardens:

1. Tsubo Niwa / Courtyard Garden


2. Tsukiyama / Strolling Garden
1. Karesansui / Dry Garden
● Became popular in Japan in the 14th century due to the work of a Buddhist
monk, Musō Soseki, who built zen gardens at the five major monasteries in
Kyoto.
● Influenced by zen buddhism.
● Characterised by:
○ White sand or raked gravel (used to facilitate feeling of water)
○ Carefully arranged rocks
○ Rocks and sand covered with moss.
● Plant are less important and sometimes non-existing.
● Their purpose is to facilitate meditation, and they are meant to be viewed
while seated on the porch of the residence of the hōjō.
● The most famous example is Ryōan-ji temple in Kyoto.
1. Karesansui / Dry Garden

● Rocks, gravel and moss are used to represent ponds, islands, boats, rivers,
seas and mountains in an abstract way.
● Rocks in these gardens are often associated with Chinese mythological
mountains such as Mt. Penglai and Mt. Lu. Karesansui.
● Stones are usually off-white or grey. Occasionally, red or black stones were
added.
2. Tsukiyama / Hill Garden
● This Japanese style garden represents a miniature of
natural scenery that includes ponds, hills, stones,
trees, fishes, bridges, moss, paths, flowers, small
plants and streams.
● The word Tsukiyama refers to the creation of artificial
or man made hills.
● It uses shrubs and trees to block the view to nearby
buildings.
● the garden’s main focus is on hills.
● Bigger compared to dry garden, but can be created in
a small area.
● This garden uses lots of cherry and red maple leaves
trees.
3. Chaniwa / Tea Garden
● A type of beautiful Japanese garden that has a tea
ceremony house along with the garden.
● Can be categorized into two sections:
○ inner garden
○ outer garden.
● The outer garden follows a path which would lead to
reach to its inner garden.
● A stone water basin (tsukubai) is placed in the garden
for washing hands before entering the inner garden.
● The garden’s main features are:
○ Ishidoro (a small stone lantern)
○ Tsukubai (A stone basin where guests can wash
their hands)
○ Nakakuguri (a middle gate)
○ Tobi-ishi (stepping stones)
○ Kakei (a bamboo pipe through which water
flows constantly).
3. Chaniwa / Tea Garden

● These are built for tea ceremonies.


● Tea house is where the ceremony occurs.
● Stepping stones lead to the tea house, through a
pathway surrounded by stone lanterns.
● The tea house is screened by hedges which gives a
sense of remoteness.
4. Tsubo Niwa / Courtyard Garden
● a small garden featuring various types of elements we
see in other Japanese styles gardens.
● Where are these built:
○ Courtyards of shops and houses
○ Decoration of Samurai’s residences.
● It feels really powerful with a simple arrangement
possessing natural rhythms.
● Some of Zen garden, tea garden, and hill garden
elements together make a perfect Japanese
courtyard garden.
● Here, elements are not supposed to be functional but
ornamental.
4. Tsubo Niwa / Courtyard Garden

● These are small gardens


● Tsubo is a japanese measurement. 1 Tsubo equals 3.3
sq.m.
● Originated in 15th century when merchants had large
houses surrounded by storage houses and lots of
open space in between them.
● The traditional principles of these gardens are very
useful to create beautiful roof gardens.
5. Tsukiyama / Strolling Garden

● These are large landscaped garden made for public.


● It is made only for a leisurely stroll.
● People follow a clockwise direction when they start
walking through the path.
● It features a small central lake and pond with a path
going around it.
● Two elements: boulders and trees, could add extra
beauty to this garden and usually they are featured,
● These gardens give an opportunity to reveal the
whole garden beauty from different directions.
CASE STUDIES
1. Kinkaku-ji Garden , Kyoto
2. Katsura Imperial Palace , Kyoto
3. Ryoan-ji Garden, Kyoto
4. Saihoji Gardens
5. kenroku-en
1.Kinkaku-ji Garden, Kyoto
● Also known as Rokuon-ji, a Zen Buddhist temple in
Kyoto, Japan.
● The Golden pavilion is a 3-storeyed building on the
grounds of a temple complex
● The Golden pavilion is located in a Japanese strolling
garden
● The pavilion extends over a pond called Kyoko-chi
(mirror pond), that reflects the building
● Harmony between heaven and earth- This garden
within a temple complex was built according to the
descriptions of the western paradise of the Buddhist
Amida.
● The largest islet in the pond represents the
Japanese islands
● The 4 stones form a straight line in the
pond near the pavilion represent sailboats
anchored at night, bound for the isle of
eternal life in Chinese mythology.
● The pond contains 10 smaller islands
● White mound snake- 5 element stupa

Since the water of


these ponds never
dried up, this
became a spot for
praying at the time
of draughts.
● The Kyoko-chi pond spreads in the central of the
garden with the kinugasa-yama mountain in the
background.
● Inside the pond are different sized islands and
famous rocks dedicated to the feudal lords of that
time
● The waterfalls drops at a distance of 2.3m
2.Katsura Imperial Palace Garden , Kyoto
● Lake of 1.25 hectare was made along with hills and
islands, beaches made, pavilions made and plants
were put.
● There are 16 bridges connecting the lake
● Lake is used for boating parties and the
surrounding land is used a stroll garden.
● Also theres a tea garden spread in a huge area of
the entire garden.
● Since Katsura tree (cercidiphyllum japonicum) is
associated with the God of the moon , the garden
has a platform called The Geppa-rō , is used for
viewing the rising of moon.
● This garden was made not only for meditation but
for ceremonious pleasures too.
● 23 stone lanterns are used to light the stroll path.
● Also there are stone basins that were made for tea
ceremonies.
● Soft shaped stepping stones function along the
pathway to strengthen the walkway and protect
vegetation.
● The katsura river supplies water for the ponds and
streams that flow gently over the site.
Tea houses
3. Ryoan-ji garden, kyoto
● Ryōanji (Peaceful Dragon Temple) is a Zen
temple and World Heritage Site in northwest
Kyoto, Japan.
● Best known for its Zen garden, simple
gravel-and-rock arrangement that inspires
peace and contemplation.
● It is considered one of the finest surviving
examples of kare-sansui (dry landscape).
● The garden measures thirty by seventy-eight
feet.
● To the east, a low wall surrounds the garden.
● On its north side the long veranda where the
visitors experience the garden is located On the
southern and western side, a wall-topped with
thatched roof tile edges the garden.
● The Zen garden itself is comprised of fifteen
stones, arranged in five groups, placed on of raked
sand.
● Apart from little patches of moss around the
stones, this garden has no plants.
● Behind the mud wall a row of trees create a green
backdrop for the garden, making the light gray
sand seem even brighter.
4. Saihoji Gardens
● Famous for its moss garden, for which reason it is
also commonly known as Moss temple or koke-dera.
● 120 types of moss in the garden
● Golden Pond at centre of moss garden
● Stroll garden in a dark forest , designed for
meditation
● The famous moss garden of Saihō-ji is situated in the
eastern temple grounds. Located in a grove, the
garden is arranged as a circular promenade
centered on Golden Pond
● The pond is shaped like the Chinese character for
"heart" or "mind" and contains three small islands
● The garden itself contains three tea houses
● Chief feature of the garden is the golden pond with
pavilions scattered on its shore and connected by a path
which allows controlled views of the garden.
● Other significant items within the temple grounds include
a stone monument
● Pond is divided by islands and connected by bridges.
● The gardens of Saihō-ji are collectively considered to be
both a historical landmark and a "special place of scenic
beauty" in Japan.
5. KENROKU-EN , KANAZAWA
● Kenrokuen in Kanazawa is justifiably classified as one of
Japan's "three most beautiful landscape gardens"

● The name Kenrokuen literally means "Garden of the Six


Sublimities", referring to spaciousness, seclusion, artificiality,
antiquity, abundant water and broad views, which according
to Chinese landscape theory are the six essential attributes
that make up a perfect garden.

● A stroll around Kenrokuen will help with understanding this


landscape theory as the grounds are teeming with water
features, bridges, teahouses, trees, flowers, stones,
viewpoints and hidden nooks to discover.
● Water is diverted from a distant river by a
sophisticated water system constructed in
1632 to feed Kenrokuen's various streams
and ponds including the two main ponds in
the garden, Kasumigaike and Hisagoike.

● The over two-meter tall Kotojitoro Lantern,


uniquely built with two legs instead of one,
stands at the northern bank of Kasumigaike
Pond and is an iconic symbol of Kenrokuen.

● In addition, a fountain below Kasumigaike


Pond is one of Japan's oldest, and is
powered by the drop in elevation from the
pond which causes water to shoot out 3.5
meters high.

● Meanwhile, nearby Hisagoike Pond features


a small waterfall.

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