Introduction & history……
Japanese gardens are commonly known as ZEN GARDENS, are inspired by Chinese landscape gardens.
The idea of these unique gardens began during the ASUKA PERIOD, first appeared on the island of HONSHU, and they have their roots in Japanese religion of SHINTO.
Earlier gardens were designed in order to bring a spiritual sense to the gardens and make them places where people could spend their time in a peaceful way and meditate.
Major Elements….
1.Water
2. Rock and sand
3.Stone lanterns and water basins
4.Garden fences and gates
5.Garden bridges
6.Trees and flowers
7.Fish
PRINCIPLES…..
Natural
Asymmetry
Odd numbers
Simplicity
Triangle
Contrast
Lines
Curves
Openness
TYPES….
Karesansui Gardens or dry gardens
Also known as rock gardens and waterless stream gardens.
Influenced by Zen Buddhism
Found in residences.
White and represents water
The rocks/gravel used are chosen for their artistic shapes, and mosses as well as small shrubs.
Plants are much less important
Chaniwa Gardens or tea gardens
They are built for tea ceremonies.
Tea house is where the ceremonies occur, and the styles of both the hut and garden are based off the simple concepts of the sado.
There are stepping stones leading to the tea house, stone lanterns, and stone basins where guests purify themselves before a ceremony.
the teahouse is screened by hedges to create a sense of remoteness
Tsukiyama Gardens or hill garden
They strive to make a smaller garden appear more spacious.
Shrubs are utilized to block views of surrounding buildings.
The garden has the mountains as part of its grounds.
Ponds, streams, hills, stones, trees, flowers, bridges, and paths are also used frequently in this style as opposed to a flat garden.
