JAPANESE GARDEN

ANTARIKSH AGRAWAL AKASH PARADKAR

ARTI KUMARI S.SUSHRUT
SHIVANI KUMARI TARA CHAND
INTRODUCTION
 The art of gardening is believed to be an important part of Japanese culture for
many centuries.
 Shinto, Buddhism and Taoism were used in the creation of different garden styles 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.
 Core values of Japanese gardening have been largely shaped by Chinese culture
and tradition.
 Religion, in particular Buddhism, also had a major influence on Japanese gardening.
 According to Shintoism ,the native religion of Japan “everything in nature is sacred”;
trees, plants, and rocks.
 They used white gravel in temples as to keep areas clean and white as a means of
enticing the spirits and gods to visit these places.
 Shintoism is not much the worship of rocks ,but the veneration of the spirit that
created those objects
HISTORY
 The history of the Japanese gardens goes back to around the 7th century.
The first Japanese gardens, that expressed Shinto, Buddhism and Taoism
visions can be traced back to the Asuka Period. They were designed to
capture the landscape in its natural form. From this period the basic rules of
designing gardens was established.
 Heian Period is the second very important chapter in the development of
Japanese garden art. Aristocratic style of gardens where created in front
of the mansion with artificial ponds and islands.
 During the Kamakura Period and Muromachi Period garden-making
techniques improved considerably because of the rise of the Zen style.
Many gardens designed in that time were properties of successive shoguns
and daimios, who belong to the highest class in Japanese society. Famous
gardens created after Meiji Period were frequented by business people
and politicians. Most of them are opened to the public now and play a role
in city parks.
BASIC RULES IN DESIGNING A
JAPANESE GARDEN
 Natural: That should make the garden look as if it grew by
itself.
 Asymmetry: That creates the impression of it being natural.
 Odd numbers: Like three, five or seven; that support the
effect of the asymmetry.
 Simplicity: That follows the idea of 'less is more‘.
 Triangle: That is the most common shape for compositions
made of stones, plants, etc.
 Contrast: That creates tension between elements.
 Lines: That can create both tranquillity and tension.
 Curves: That softens the effect.
 Openness: That indicates interaction between all elements.
THE CHANGES WITH SEASONS
 In spring one revels in the bright green of new buds
and the blossoms of the azaleas.
 In summer you appreciate the contrasts of the lush
foliage painted against the cool shadows and the
splash of koi in the pond.
 Fall wrests the brilliant colors from dying leaves as they
slip into the deathly hush of winter, the garden buried
under a shroud of snow.
 Winters is as much a garden season in Japan as spring.
The Japanese refer to snow piled on the branches of
trees as sekku, or snow blossoms, and there is a lantern
known as yukimi that is named the snow viewing lantern.
ELEMENTS
 Water

 Rock and sand

 Garden bridges

 Stone lanterns and water basins

 Garden fences and gates

 Trees and flowers

 Fish
 WATER
 Japanese gardens always have water, either a pond or stream, or, in the
dry rock garden, represented by white sand. Water is used not just for its
visual quality, but also for its sound.
 The Japanese have learnt to exploit the sound of water in all its various
form. It varies from powerful waterfall to water falling into a water basin,
creating different emotions.
 The bank of the pond is usually bordered by rocks & in order to preserve
the natural shapes, man-made ponds are asymmetrical.
 WATER
 In traditional gardens, the ponds and streams are carefully placed
according to Buddhist geomancy, the art and science of putting things in the
place most likely to attract good fortune.

 In Buddhist symbolism, water and stone are the ying-yang, two opposites
which complement and complete each other

 A waterfall is more suitable

to stimulate both visual and
acoustic senses and a lake or
a pond is to create a more
formal and calm setup
 ROCKS AND SAND
 Rock, sand and gravel are an essential
feature of the Japanese garden. The
rocks are like the coordinates of a
garden project.

 Rocks and water also symbolize yin

and yang, the hard rock and soft water
complement each other, and water,
though soft, can wear away rock.
 ROCKS AND SAND
 SIZE
1. only when viewed in the context of the scale of the garden & its
relationship with the neighboring rocks and other artifacts.
2. Variation in rock sizes offer greater contrast & interest resulting in the
more dynamic arrangement of rocks.
3. Rocks are traditionally classified as tall vertical, low vertical, arching,
reclining, or flat.

 COLOURS
1. generally bright colors
are avoided.
2. Color of rocks generally
varies from grey to black,
and from yellow to brick
red on other hand.
 ROCKS AND SAND
 TEXTURE
1. Rocks are often used to represent islands and mountains, so conical or
dome shaped rough volcanic rocks would be the obvious choice.(kansai)
2. Hard metamorphic rocks are usually placed by waterfalls or streams.
3. A jagged textured rock gives feeling of timelessness and dignity.
4. Smooth rocks like water worn stones or glacial boulders convey the
feeling of antiquity especially when combined in an interesting shape are
used around lakes or as stepping stones.
 ROCKS AND SAND
Certain guidelines or ground rules are followed to achieve good results such as:

1. Rocks of varying sizes are used to emphasize the contrast.

2. asymmetric arrangement of rocks is preferred over symmetrical

arrangement.

3. Sometimes there is a tradition for arranging the rocks to reflect the

philosophical concept heaven, earth and man.
 GARDEN BRIDGES
 Bridges could be made of stone
(ishibashi), or of wood, or made of
logs with earth on top, covered with
moss (dobashi); they could be either
arched (soribashi) or flat
(hirabashi).
 Bridges can be painted red if it is
used for temple garden, as per
Chinese tradition.
STONE LANTERNS & WATER BASINS
 Stone lanterns In its complete and original form, a 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, or water; ka or fire, is
represented by the section encasing the lantern's light or flame, while fū (air)
and kū (void or spirit) are represented by the last two sections, top-most and pointing
towards the sky.

 The segments express

the idea that after
death our physical
bodies will go back to
their original,
elemental form.
STONE LANTERNS & 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.
 In tea gardens, the basin was placed low to the ground, so the drinker had
to bend over to get his water
 GARDEN FENCES & GATES
 There are three types of fences:
1. The short fence which extends from the
house into the garden
2. An inner fence
3. an outer fence.

 Short fences or sodegaki are

screens that hide unwanted
views or objects.
 They are about 6 or 7 feet high
and add color and texture to
the garden.
 Materials used are
bamboo,wood and twigs of
bamboo or tree.
 GARDEN ENCLOSURES

 For the garden to be a true retreat, we must first seal it away from
the outside world. Once it is enclosed, we must create a method (and
a mindset) to enter and leave our microcosm. Fences and gates are as
important to the Japanese garden as lanterns and maples.

 As with most things associated with the garden the fence and gates
have deep symbolic meaning as well as specific function. We are
encouraged to view the garden as a separate world in which we have
no worries or concerns. The fence insulates us from the outside world
and the gate is the threshold where we both discard our worldly cares
and then prepare ourselves to once again face the world.
TREES AND FLOWERS

 Plants are chosen according to aesthetic principles,

 Plants are used either to hide undesirable sights or to serve as a
backdrop to certain garden features, or to create a picturesque
scene, like a landscape painting or postcard.
 Trees are carefully chosen and arranged for their autumn colors.
 Mosses often used to suggest that the garden is ancient.
 Flowers are also carefully chosen by their season of flowering.
 Some plants are chosen for their religious symbolism, such as the
lotus, sacred in Buddhist teachings, or 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
 TREES AND FLOWERS
 Moss:
• It is a primitive plant and there are
many different varieties in existence.
• Moss needs damp shady conditions in
order to flourish.
• In constantly dry, sunny aspect, it will
not grow.
• Moss is most often found in woodland
area under the shade of trees where
nothing else will grow.

 Azaleas
When properly done, groups of azaleas can
be sheared into large masses, or individual
semi-spherical shapes, adding crisp, clean lines
and a voluptuousness to garden compositions.
 TREES AND FLOWERS
Pine (matsu)
• pine trees are pruned regularly, to
keep their shapes in harmony with
the surroundings. 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 adds to the
intimacy of the Garden. It creates
a quiet, cosy screen that shields
visitors from outside distractions.

Japanese maple (momiji)

• The Japanese maple is much appreciated
for its lacy leaves and magnificent autumn
colours, making it a favourite in Japanese
garden design.
TREES AND FLOWERS
• Japanese hornbeam
Japanese hornbeam is one of the most
elegant small trees for the garden. It
forms a low wide spreading mounded-
shape with a thin delicate layered
branching habit. The bark is smooth and
ashy gray. The leaves are very
attractive with toothed edges and
prominent veins giving a unique
accordion like appearance. The fruit is a
dry papery catkin that looks like hops. • Japanese cherry blossom
It has masses of large, single,
white or pink flowers held on
wide-spreading branches in April.
It develops fall color of golden
yellow with orange highlights.
 TREES AND FLOWERS
• Japanese cedar
The foliage is tipped creamy yellow and is most intense
when growth is new in spring and early summer. It is a
visually dominant tree in the landscape because the
foliage color is so intense

Japanese cornelian dogwood

This disease resistant selection of pink flowering
dogwood is a great replacement for more
problem-prone cultivars. In June white flushed
pink buds open and quickly become a rich rose-
pink. The bright color stands out against the
clean green leaves and will last longer than
earlier flowering dogwood blooms. This
beautiful small to medium sized tree develops a
graceful layered branching pattern that shows
the flowers off well.
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 flowers, the
colored carps.
 They appeared in Japan many centuries
ago and the Japanese have crossbred
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.
 KASAN AND BONSAI
KASAN
 These are miniatures of mountains in
Japan.
 They are made up of ceramics, dried
wood or strangely-shaped stones.
 They generally have sharp peaks.

BONSAI
 Bonsai is a Japanese art form using
miniature trees grown in containers.
 The trees are usually less than one meter
high and kept small by pruning, re-potting,
growth pinching, and wiring the branches.
 Pine, cypress, holly, cedar, cherry, maple
Scenery Methods

 The Japanese garden can include three possible methods for scenery:
 The first is the reduced scale scenery method. The reduced scale
method takes actual natural elements and reproduces them on a
smaller scale.
 The second technique called symbolization and it involves
generalization and abstraction; this could be accomplished by using
white sand to simulate the ocean.
 Borrowed views is a technique that refers to artistic use of elements
that imply scenes other than those actually portrayed. An example of
this would be a painting of a house in the city with a seaside dock in
the middle of the street to imply a seascape scene.
ROCKS AND BOULDERS
REPRESENTING MOUNTAINS

POOL REPRESENT LAKES.

RAKED SAND REPRESENT

OCEAN.

NON RECTILINEAR SHAPED WATER BODY

TYPES OF JAPANESE GARDENS

1.Karesansui Gardens or dry gardens

2.Tsukiyama Gardens or hill garden

3.Chaniwa Gardens or tea gardens

KARESANSUI/ DRY
GARDENS
 Also known as rock gardens and
waterless stream gardens.

 Influenced by Zen Buddhism and can be

found at Zen temples of meditation

 Found in the front or rear gardens at

the residences.

 No water presents in gardens. raked

gravel or sand that simulates the feeling
of water.

 The rocks/gravel used are chosen for

their artistic shapes, and mosses as well
as small shrubs.
 Plants are much less important (and
sometimes nonexistent)
 KARESANSUI/ DRY
GARDENS
 Rocks and moss are used to represent
ponds, islands, boats, seas, rivers, and
mountains in an abstract way.
 Gardens were meant to be viewed
from a single, seated perspective.
 Rocks in karesansui are often
associated with Chinese mountains
such as Mt. Penglai or Mt. Lu.
Karesansui.
 Stones are usually off-white or grey
though the occasional red or black
stone were added later.
 TSUKIYAMA/HILL GARDENS
 They strive to make a smaller
garden appear more spacious.
 Shrubs are utilized to block
views of surrounding buildings.
 The gardens main focus is on
nearby mountains in the
distance.
 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.
 CHANIWA/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