| By A.Caxton | | | | found in a Japanese garden. Stones that are carefully |
| Many landscapers today, whether professional or | | | | placed so that they look as if they occurred there |
| home do-it-yourselfers are turning to Japanese | | | | naturally are a perfect example. Another main |
| designs for landscaping a garden. The peace and | | | | principle of Japanese gardens is the management of |
| tranquility of a Japanese garden is attracting many | | | | space. There is no fear of having large empty spaces |
| people to this type of landscaping design. One of the | | | | in a Japanese garden; this is done on purpose so that |
| biggest attractions of a Japanese garden is the ease | | | | the empty spaces complement and outline the other |
| of taking care of it. If a Japanese garden is well | | | | elements in the garden. Managing size in a Japanese |
| designed in the first place, it will not be expensive to | | | | garden is a third element to be addressed. Large |
| install, and will be relatively carefree. Many people | | | | items in small places will overwhelm the tranquility of |
| think a Japanese garden will be expensive because it | | | | the garden. Seeking balance, the Japanese landscape |
| has to have exotic plants and flowers in it. This | | | | gardener will proportions so that each element works |
| couldn't be the furthest from the truth, since a | | | | with the other, rather than compete with it. |
| Japanese garden seeks to have the simplest | | | | Japanese gardens frequently use enclosures in |
| materials to create that peaceful look. If you | | | | interesting ways. Fences and gates serve the |
| understand the underlying principles of Japanese | | | | purpose of secluding the garden, but they may also |
| gardens, you can create one that will not be | | | | point the visitor to another area, even if it is only an |
| expensive and will be easy to care for. | | | | illusion. The symbolism of seclusion in the garden is |
| One of the most important underlying principles of | | | | important and so walkways are always wandering |
| Japanese gardens is to follow the lines and form of | | | | off into small areas, even in expansive gardens. |
| nature. There are not square ponds in nature, so a | | | | Gates and fences create both a barrier and a |
| Japanese garden would have to have a round pond. | | | | entrance way, leading the garden visitor away from |
| Natural shapes that abound in nature are what will be | | | | the cares of the world and into a peaceful retreat. |