JAPANESE GARDENS

 Famous for their unique style, natural & spiritual beauty, and calmness.
 Made by Zen-Buddhists for worship, meditation, tea ceremony and pleasure.
 Japanese gardens – “nature in miniature”, natural landscape elements are created in
gardens in miniature.
 Favourable climate, topography and liking of people: made the gardens unique which
enjoys high esteem among garden lovers.
 In the beginning, were developed around Buddhist temples, later spread.

HISTORY
Asuka Period(538-794 AD)
 Nara- capital of Japan. Buddhism started flourishing. Large Buddhist temples were
created, Todaji- famous temple. In front of the garden, ground planted with trees. A
deer park too. Other temples- Kofukiji and Biodo inn at Uji.
 Influence of Chinese culture was prominent. Artificial hills were constructed, 100 feet
high with running water as ornament. Stones were selected for interesting shapes, kept
near running water.
Heian Period(794-1185 AD)
 Capital- Kyota. Highly decorative gardens were made. Big shrines having large lakes,
bridges, stepping stones were made. Round stepping stones in lake of Heianji.
Kamakura Period(1186-1399 AD)
 Stone, hills & lakes- essential feature. Selection of stones with religious and moral
attributes.
 “Hill island”, “Wood island”, “Cloud island”, “Misty island”, “Dry beach island”.
 Dry landscape(KARESANSUI) based on symbolism. Ryoanji Temple of Kyoto. Gardens
devoid of traditional lakes but raked sand and stones are used to creating ocean effect.
 Artificial hillocks- “Ocean Rock”, “Large River Rock”, “Offing Rock”, “Mountain Torrent
Stone”.
Ashikaga Period(1400-1600 AD)
 The three storyed gold leaf covered pavilion called KINKAKUJI(1397)- breathtaking sight
to see in any season. The first two storeys are based on traditional Japanese architect.
The top storey shows Chinese influence. A pond around it, the pavilion is reflected in the
water. Spring- fresh foliage of trees, early summer- pond studded with lotus blossoms.
 Silver pavilion, another important garden. Rustic naturally colored.
 Edo Period(1615-1867 AD)
 Making of small gardens dominated, could be enjoyed from inside the house. Similar to
tea gardens.
 Katsura Imperial Villa at Kyoto(1642), constructed for merry making, playing games,
drinking tea, singing, dancing or reciting poetry, religious, social and political discourse
by the members of the Imperial family. Strong harmony between buildings, nature and
man.
Meiji Era(1876-1912 AD)
 Tokyo- capital(1867). Great industrial revolution in this period. Multi storey buildings in
big towns, gave rise to making of garden in limited space around skyscrapers, mansions,
roof tops, windows, etc.

TYPES OF JAPANESE GARDENS

1. Hill Gardens
2. Tea Gardens
3. Flat Gardens

HILL GARDENS

 Tsukiyama sansui- means hill and water. Main features- hills, streams and ponds.
 3-5 hillocks:
1. Hill 1- Central feature. Bigger in size, have broad views.
2. Hill 2- Companion to no. 1, adjacent, somewhat lower, secondary importance
3. Hill 3- opposite side to no.1, represents lower hill.
4. Hill 4- small, but elegantly introduced in foreground of no.2
5. Hill 5- placed in remotest part of garden, visible from side of hill.
 Lake or lakelets are automatically formed.
 Different islands are made, complimentary beauties:
1. Master island
2. Guest island, connected with a bridge
3. Central island.
 Different stones to beautify surroundings, represent different symbols like natural,
mood, idea, spiritual and melodic symbols. Five distinct shapes recognized:
1. Statue Stone
2. Low Vertical Stone
3. Flat Stone
4. Recumbent or Ox Stone
5. Arching Stone
 Arrangement of stones done in composition comprising of two, triple or quintuple
combination, with different meanings.
 Important rocks or stones used are 10, fixed at specified places:
1. Stone-1: guardian stone, high standing, central position.
2. Stone-2: companion of 1, opposite to fall.
3. Stone-3: worshipping stone, broad & flat, place din foreground and centre of island.
4. Stone-4: interviewing/ shoe-removing stone, at one side of garden, flat & broad based.
5. Stone-5: waiting stone, opposite to 4.
6. Stone-6: moon shadow stone, important position, placed between two hills.
7. Stone-7: cave stone, similar to 1, placed near central group of trees.
8. Stone-8: seat of honour stone.
9. Stone-9: pedestal stone, first stepping stone.
10. Stone-10: Idling stone, consists of a pair of stones.
 Trees.
1. Principal tree- tree planted in central part of background.
2. View Perfecting Tree- planted in foreground, adds beauty in lake scenery.
3. Tree of Solitude- trees of thick foliage in the background on one side.
4. Cascade Screening Tree- group of bushes planted at side of waterfall to hide the portion.
5. Tree of Setting Sun- planted in west side to check the glare of setting sun.
6. Distancing pine- planted to give a forest type look.
 Ornamental Water
Life of a garden, necessary feature. Present in form of big lakes or symbolically, water basins.
The standing water may be in shape of round, square, running water shape, etc.
Tea gardens and Flat gardens- water is present in form of basins or wells, in variable shapes.
Rustic well of wood or stone may be present.
 Garden Lanterns
From very old time, were presented on the eve of festivals. Arranged singly or in combination
with plants, according to the scale and character of building.
1. Standard type
2. Legged type
3. Hanging type.
 Garden Pagoda
Ornament which is purely decorative. May be in the form of stone tower or pagoda. Standard or
legged type, may have 3,5,7,9 or 11 separate roofs.
 Garden Bridges
Many kinds, used to connect different islands. Wood or stone in old days. Mostly arch shaped.
Peeping Bridge, Granate Slat Bridge, Curved Bracket Bridge.
TEA GARDENS

 A garden attached to a tea house. Divided into three sections:

1. Sotoroji- outer section
2. Machi ai- waiting place
3. Uchiro ji- inner section
 Guests visited for religious discourse. At waiting place- sword rack and stepping stones
arranged such that it facilitates hanging of the swords.
 Entrance of tea room – low doors, guests are obliged to enter in bending postures to
indicate humbleness and respect.
 Inner Garden- extremely simple, natural. Antiques are selected. Plants arranged in
unkept manner, so it looks wild. Rustic looking well- important feature. Pathway made
of stepping stones. Wall covered with hedges.
 Kettle stone- for placing the kettle.
Sword hanging stone- for hanging the swords.
Candle stick stone – used for placing candle.
Low basin stone- hollow, filled with water to wash hands.

FLAT GARDENS

 Hira niwa. Devoid of hills, streams or ponds. Mostly planned for confined places.
 Desgins-
1. Mount valley type- surrounding thickly planted
2. Extensive Moor type- surrounding should be bare and open.
 Stones, well, water basin, tree arranged to create a scenic beauty.
 Surface is covered with raked sand to give ocean effect.
 Rocks and pebbles so arranged to give an effect of diversion.

PLANT MATERIAL USED IN JAPANESE GARDENS

 For meditation, green colour. Not planted with colourful trees.
 EVERGREEN- Pinus parviflora, Pinus desiflora, Abies firma, Nandina domestica
 DECIDUOUS- Mulberry, Poplar, Maple, Willow.
 FLOWERING TREES & SHRUBS: Cherry, Peach, Pomegranate, Plum, Pear, Lotus.