| The Principles Behind Japanese Gardens | | | | many people prefer to take elements and aspects of |
| Japanese gardens are becoming more and more | | | | the garden and incorporate them in unique ways. |
| popular as landscaping features. This is because | | | | Some elements of Japanese gardens include rock, |
| Japanese gardens seem to have an inherent feeling | | | | water, plantings, ornaments, and borrowed scenery. |
| of peace and calm attached to them. Additionally, if | | | | Each of these has a specific purpose. |
| properly planned and maintained, they do not need to | | | | Rock is the main foundation of the garden. After |
| be expensive, nor do they need to be time | | | | properly laying out the stones, the rest of the |
| consuming to take care of. One of the biggest | | | | garden practically builds itself. Stone elements include |
| misconceptions that many people have is that a | | | | tall vertical stones, short vertical stones, horizontal |
| Japanese garden is supposed to have exotic flowers. | | | | stones, arched stones, and reclining stones. Stepping |
| This is not true, as most Japanese gardens actually | | | | stones and rock pathways are also used. Placement |
| make more use of structures and plants to give | | | | of the rock is important, as the rocks have meanings. |
| them their distinctive look. It is a good idea to | | | | However, if you are more about aesthetics, you can |
| understand the principles behind Japanese gardens in | | | | simply place the rocks where you feel they best |
| order to have one that is truly authentic and one | | | | complement the look and feel of the garden. |
| that is not hard to take care of because of high | | | | Water can be literal, as in a built water feature, or |
| maintenance exotic flowers. | | | | simulated, as with raked gravel or sand. You can |
| One of the first principles in planning a Japanese | | | | even make symbolic water by fitting river stones |
| garden is to take into account nature. Square ponds | | | | tightly together. The sound of actual water is calming |
| are not natural, but round ones are. Also, using | | | | and soothing, and it adds to the serenity of the |
| shapes that occur in nature, such as rounded edges, | | | | garden. The Japanese also view water as the symbol |
| complements the feeling of nature and peace. Also | | | | of the passage of time. |
| inherent in the principles of Japanese gardens is the | | | | Plantings are secondary to the role of stones in a |
| elements of space. Many people feel that there are | | | | Japanese garden. However, they are important and a |
| "empty" portions of such gardens and the impulse is | | | | main concern of the design. Placement of the |
| to fill them in. Leaving some attractive empty space | | | | plantings, as with the stones, is important to the |
| accents the other portions of the landscape. Also | | | | harmony of the landscape design. You need not use |
| understanding the concept of size is important. Do | | | | bamboo trees or maples for your garden if you do |
| not put something large in a small space. It looks out | | | | not find them pleasing. Ornamental grasses, |
| of place and is not in balance with its surroundings. | | | | evergreens, and a variety of deciduous trees can be |
| Try to create a garden space that complements the | | | | very attractive in your garden, and still fulfill the basic |
| rest of the landscape, and use elements that | | | | principles of the Japanese garden. |
| complement each other. | | | | Ornaments are things that serve to enhance the |
| Enclosures are also part of the basic design of a | | | | garden. They should not be main focuses. They are |
| Japanese garden. Fences and gates create a feeling | | | | simply accents and not to be treated as main |
| of seclusion, and also of retreat. Entrance and exit | | | | architectural elements in the garden. Some ornaments |
| are important, not only to seal the garden away | | | | include lanterns, basins, stupas, and even some |
| (often symbolically) from the outside, but also | | | | sculpture. Borrowed scenery consists of element that |
| because it indicates moving in and moving out. | | | | can be seen from within the garden, but that are not |
| Additionally, fences offer a barrier from the world, | | | | actually located inside the confines of the garden. |
| where the garden can be enjoyed fully without | | | | Different elements can be placed to accent a distant |
| reference to the cares that exist outside the garden. | | | | mountain or to reveal a beautiful tree on someone |
| There is no singular design in a Japanese garden, and | | | | else's property. |