| In Japanese culture gardening is
an art form, a tradition to be passed down through the
generations. Books by Zen monks have been published outlining
the sacred act of garden making |
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| Japanese
Tea House at Tatton Park |
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| Japanese gardens often
contain architecture, a central structure, usually their home
from which the garden can be looked at. Elements such as
water, rocks, bridges or stepping stones are often found in
traditional Japanese gardens too.
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There are different styles
of Japanese gardens all suited for different purposes, they
are... |
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Japanese gardens viewed from homes are Kanshoh-style. |
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Strolling gardens known
as kaiyu-shiki allow the garden to be seen from its path. |
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Japanese dry gardens with no water and limited planting
purposely to show off special rocks, shrubs and mosses are
called karesansui. |
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Pond gardens can be viewed from boats |
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Tea gardens from paths that lead to tea ceremony
huts.
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The structure of Japanese
gardens invites the viewer to go on a journey. Certain aspects
of the garden will make you walk and look a certain way. The
'hide and reveal' principle is a fantastic way of
premeditating what your viewer should be looking at. Uneven
paths will make a person look down and when they look up they
will see something eye catching and meaningful.
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Japanese
gardens can be used in many ways, for relaxation and
meditation, for recreation, or as exhibits for plants and
rocks. Stones used to reflect mountain ranges are placed in
groups or used as paths and walkways.
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| Water is used effectively in
Japanese gardens but only looking natural. Traditional gardens
will not contain fountains or anything that looks man made.
Pools and streams are often found, sometimes even empty which
is just as striking as if they were filled with water. In dry
gardens gravel is often used to create a water effect.
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| The planting is often green and
low key but flowering shrubs are also used. These gardens are
miniature reproductions of nature. They explore subtleties of
moss,maples, bamboo and stone carvings. Once the flowering season is
over the garden retains its tranquility and beauty.
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The famous
moss garden of Saihō-ji, Kyoto, Japan. |
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Plant hunters brought back a
lot of plants from Japan that we now use every day such as
lilies and irises which before then were unknown to us.
Perhaps then most of our gardens have a little piece of Japan
in them.
Handy Hints
- Use water or dry ponds for
the serene and simplistic look.
- Keep flowering minimal. Pick
light, subtle flowers instead of bedding.
- Pick seasonal fragrances for
added tranquility.
- Use moss around the base of
vertical trees.
- Choose plants that will
provide colour throughout the seasons. Japanese maples in
autumn and azelias in spring.
- Do not balance, mirror image
or attempt symmetry in your planting. Stay natural.
- Space will make your
existing elements much more striking.
- Use authentic Japanese
accessories such as stone lanterns and water basins for
authenticity.
- Rocks are essential in these
gardens probably more so than the plants so place
carefully considering all angles.
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