Things to keep in mind for a beautiful garden
Main principles on the garden's design
Bring
the Japanese feeling into your garden with these basic steps. First of
all, embrace the ideal of nature. That means, keep things in your garden
as natural as possible, avoiding to include things that could disrupt
this natural appearance.
For example, don't include square ponds
in your design as square ponds are nowhere to be found in nature. Also, a
waterfall would be something closer to what exists in nature if we
compare it to a fountain. So you also have to consider the Japanese
concept of sumi or balance. Because one of Japanese gardening design
main purposes is to recreate large landscapes even in the smallest
place. Be careful when choosing the elements for your garden, because
you don't want to end up filling your ten by ten courtyard with huge
rocks.
As a miniaturized landscape, the rocks in the garden would
represent mountains and the ponds would represent lakes. A space filled
with sand would represent an ocean. By that we assume that garden
masters were looking to achieve a minimalistic approach, best
represented by the phrase "less is more".
The elements of time and space
One
of the things westerners notice at first are the many portions of empty
space in the garden. In fact, these spaces are an important feature in
Japanese gardening. This space called ma, relates to the elements around
it and that also surround it. The concepts of in and yo are of vital
importance here, they are best known to the Western civilization by the
Chinese names yin and yang. If you want to have something you have to
start with having nothing. This is an idea quite difficult to
understand, but it is a rule of thumb in Japanese gardening.
An
important clue in the development of a garden is the concept of wabi and
sabi. There's no literal English translation for those words. Wabi is
about uniqueness, or the essence of something; a close literal
translation is solitary. Sabi deals with the definition of time or the
ideal image of something; the closest definition might be time
strengthened character. Given the case, a cement lantern that might
appear unique, would lack of that ideal image. Or an old rock covered in
lichens would have no wabi if it's just a round boulder. That's why it
is important to find that balance.
Ma and wabi/sabi are connected
to the concepts of space and time. When it comes to seasons, the garden
must show the special character of each one. Japanese garden lovers
dedicate time to their gardens every season, unlike the western gardener
who deserts in fall just to be seen again in spring.
A very
relaxing view in spring is given by the bright green of new buds and the
blossoms of the azaleas. In summer, the lush foliage in combination
with the pond offer a powerful and fresh image. The vivid spectacle of
the brilliant colors of dying leaves in fall are a prelude for the
arrival of winter and its white shroud of snow.
The two most
important gardening seasons in Japan are spring and winter. Japanese
refer to the snow accumulated on braches as Sekku or snow blossoms.
Yukimi, or the snow viewing lantern, is another typical element of the
Japanese garden in winter. The sleep of the garden in winter is an
important episode for our Japanese gardener, while for the western
gardener spring is the beginning of the work at the garden. Maybe
because of the eastern point of view as death like part of the life
cycle, or perhaps the western fear to death.
About garden enclosures
Let's see the garden as a microcosm of nature. If we're looking for the garden to be a true retreat, we have to 'set it apart' from the outside world. Because of that, fences and gates are important components of the Japanese garden.
Let's see the garden as a microcosm of nature. If we're looking for the garden to be a true retreat, we have to 'set it apart' from the outside world. Because of that, fences and gates are important components of the Japanese garden.
The fence and the gates have
both symbolism and functionality. The worries and concerns of our daily
life have to stay out of this separate world that becomes the garden.
The fence protects us from the outside world and the gate is the
threshold where we leave our daily worries and then prepare ourselves to
confront the real world again.
The use of fences is based in the
concept of hide/reveal or Miegakure. Fence styles are very simple and
are put in combination with screen planting, thus not giving many clues
of what hides inside. You can give a sample look of your garden by
cutting a small window in the solid wall that encloses your garden if
that's the case. Sode-gaki, or sleeve fences, are fences attached to an
architectural structure, that will only show a specific view of the
garden from inside the house. Thus, we're invited to get into the garden
and enjoy it in its entirety. That's what makes the true understanding
of the garden, to lose in it our sense of time and self.
Basic Arrangements
Despite the fact that certain rules are applied to each individual garden, don't think that there's just one type of garden. There are three basic styles that differ by setting and purpose.
Despite the fact that certain rules are applied to each individual garden, don't think that there's just one type of garden. There are three basic styles that differ by setting and purpose.
Hill and Pond Garden (Chisen-Kaiyu-skiki)
A China imported classic style. A pond or a space filled with raked gravel fronts a hill (or hills). This style always represents mountainous places and commonly makes use of vegetation indigenous to the mountains. Stroll gardens commonly use this style.
A China imported classic style. A pond or a space filled with raked gravel fronts a hill (or hills). This style always represents mountainous places and commonly makes use of vegetation indigenous to the mountains. Stroll gardens commonly use this style.
Flat Garden (Hiraniwa)
It derives from the use of open, flat spaces in front of temples and palaces for ceremonies. This is an appropriate style for contemplation and that represents a seashore area (with the use of the right plants). This is a style frequently used in courtyards.
It derives from the use of open, flat spaces in front of temples and palaces for ceremonies. This is an appropriate style for contemplation and that represents a seashore area (with the use of the right plants). This is a style frequently used in courtyards.
Tea Gardens (Rojiniwa)
Function has a greater importance than form in this type of garden. The Roji or dewy path, is the main point of the garden, along with the pond and the gates. This would be the exception to the rule. The simple and sparse plantings give a rustic feeling to the garden.
Function has a greater importance than form in this type of garden. The Roji or dewy path, is the main point of the garden, along with the pond and the gates. This would be the exception to the rule. The simple and sparse plantings give a rustic feeling to the garden.
Formality has to be taken in consideration
Hill and pond and flat styles may be shin (formal), gyo (intermediate) or so (informal). Formal styles were to be found usually at temples or palaces, intermediate styles were suitable for most residences, and the informal style was used in peasant huts and mountain retreats. The tea garden is the one that always fits in the informal style.
Hill and pond and flat styles may be shin (formal), gyo (intermediate) or so (informal). Formal styles were to be found usually at temples or palaces, intermediate styles were suitable for most residences, and the informal style was used in peasant huts and mountain retreats. The tea garden is the one that always fits in the informal style.
The garden components
Rocks (ishi in Japanese) are
the main concern of the Japanese garden. If the stones are placed
correctly, then the garden shows in a perfect balance. So here are shown
the basic stone types and the rules for their positions.
The
basic stones are the tall upright stone, the low upright stone, the
curved stone, the reclining stone, and the horizontal stone. These must
be usually set in triads although this doesn't happen always. Two almost
identical stones (by way of example, two tall verticals or two
reclining stones), one a little quite smaller than the other, can be set
together as male and female, but the use of them in threes, fives, and
sevens is more frequent.
We have to keep away from the Three Bad
Stones. These are the Diseased stone (having a withered or misshapen
top), the Dead stone (an obviously vertical one used as a horizontal, or
vice versa, like the placement of a dead body), and the Pauper Stone (a
stone having no connection to the several other ones in the garden).
Use only one stone of each of the basic types in any cluster (the rest
have to be smaller, modest stones also known as throwaway stones).
Stones can be placed as sculptures, set against a background in a
two-dimensional way, or given a purpose, such as a stepping stone or a
bridge.
When used as stepping stones they should be between one
and three inches above the soil, yet solid underfoot, as if rooted into
the ground. They can be put in straight lines, offset for left foot,
right foot (referred as chidori or plover, after the tracks the shore
bird leaves), or set in sets of twos, threes, fours, or fives (and any
combination thereof).
The pathway stands for the passage through
life, and even particular stones by the path may have meaning. A much
wider stone placed across the path tells us to put two feet here,
stopping to enjoy the view. There are numerous stones for specific
places. When observing the basic design principles, we can notice the
exact character of the Japanese garden.
Water (mizu in Japanese)
plays an important part in the composition of the Japanese garden
because of Japan's abundant rainfall. Water can be represented even with
a raked gravel area instead of water. A rushing stream can be
represented by placing flat river stones closely together. In the tea
garden, where there isn't any stream or pond, water plays the most
important role in the ritual cleansing at the chozubachi, or water
basin. As the water fills and empties from the shishi-odoki, or deer
scare, the clack of bamboo on rock helps mark the passage of time.
The
flow of water, the way it sounds and looks, brings to mind the
continual passage of time. A bridge crossing the water stream is often
used as a landscaping complement. Bridges denote a journey, just as
pathways do. Hashi, in japanese, can mean bridge or edge. Bridges are
the symbolic pass from one world into another, a constant theme in
Japanese art.
Plants or Shokobutsu may play a secondary role to
the stones in the garden, but they are a primary concern in the design
too. Stones represent what remains unchanged, so trees, shrubs, and
perennials have to represent the passing of seasons. Earlier garden
styles used plants to make up poetic connotations or to correct
geomantic issues, but these have little meaning today.
As the the
Heian style diminished under the Zen influence, perennials and grasses
fell out of use. So, for a long time, there were only a few plants that
tradition allowed for the garden. However, in modern Japan, designers
are again widening the spectrum of materials used. It is highly
recommended that native plants are chosen for the garden, because showy
exotic plants are not in good taste. Be aware that native plants are
used in the garden, because it is in bad taste to use showy exotic
plants. Although pines, cherries and bamboo immediately remind us of
Japanese gardens, we encourage you to use native plants of your locality
that you can find pleasing. If we choose evergreens as the main plant
theme and combine it with deciduous material that may provide seasonal
blooms or foliage color we can recreate the look of the Japanese garden.
Now
the next thing taken in consideration in a Japanese garden are the
ornaments or Tenkebutsu. Stone lanterns are, for westerners, a typical
impression of Japanese gardens.Stone lanterns are not important
components of the Japanese garden. The reason is that ornaments are
subjected to the garden's design. Lanterns, stupas, and basins are just
architectural complements added when a point of visual interest is
necessary to the design.
A good way to finish yor garden design
could be a well-placed lantern. The three main styles (although with
many variations) are: The Kasuga style lantern, is a very formal one
featuring a stone base. In the Oribe style lantern, unlike the Kasuga
style, the pedestal is underneath the ground. The Yukimi or Snow-Viewing
lantern is set on short legs instead of a pedestal. Consider the
formality of your garden setting to choose the appropriate lantern.
When
possible, elements from outside the garden can be included in it. For
instance, you can work a far away mountain including the scenery in your
design, framing it with the stones and plants existing in the garden.
The borrowed scenery (shakkei in Japanese) can be: Far (as in a far away mountain); near (a tree just outside the fence); High (an element seen above the fence) or low (like a component seen below a fence or through a window in the fence).
The borrowed scenery (shakkei in Japanese) can be: Far (as in a far away mountain); near (a tree just outside the fence); High (an element seen above the fence) or low (like a component seen below a fence or through a window in the fence).
As much as it is perceived to contradict our sense of enclosure, it reminds us of how all things are interconnected.
The feel of your garden
The Japanese garden is a subtle place full of contradictions and imperatives. Where firmly established rules are broken with other rules. If you meet the Buddha on the road, you must kill him is a Zen paradox that recommends not to stick so tightly to rules, and the same goes for Japanese gardens.
The Japanese garden is a subtle place full of contradictions and imperatives. Where firmly established rules are broken with other rules. If you meet the Buddha on the road, you must kill him is a Zen paradox that recommends not to stick so tightly to rules, and the same goes for Japanese gardens.
When building a Japanese garden, don't get too
attached to traditions that hold little meaning for you. It would have
no function to recreate a Buddhist saints garden. This also applies to
trying to remember the meaning of stone placements, as this method is no
longer used in Japan, or even in the United States, due to the lack of
meaning for us in the modern world.
That's why we have selected a
few gardening suggestions that do hold relevance and integrate them into
a garden. These three ideas on gardening will give direction to achieve
perfect results.
First
The overall setting of the garden should always be right for the location, not the other way around.
The overall setting of the garden should always be right for the location, not the other way around.
Second
The stones should be placed first, next the trees, and then the shrubs.
The stones should be placed first, next the trees, and then the shrubs.
Third
Get used to the concepts of shin, gyo, and so. This is of great help to start working on the garden.
Get used to the concepts of shin, gyo, and so. This is of great help to start working on the garden.
Have
in mind that the real Japanese gardens are the traditional ones in
Japan. What we can do in America is to shape a garden in the Japanese
style. Rikyu once said about the perfect Roji: "Thick green moss, all
pure and sunny warm". In other words, techniques are not as important as
the feeling you evoke in your garden. Said in other way, the feeling is
more important than techniques.
