| Design in Japanese gardens. How Zen influences it. | | | | the back, and I was immediately struck by the |
| Creating a peaceful and tranquil Japanese Garden. | | | | beauty and simplicity of the miniature Japanese |
| There are a couple of fixed images I have when I | | | | garden he had created. I had no idea at the time that |
| think about Japanese gardens. One is a bonsai tree, | | | | I was gazing upon a Japanese garden; I simply |
| and the other is the art of Zen. Bonsai has become | | | | enjoyed the clean lines and delicate symmetry of this |
| to me the definitive idea of Japanese gardening with | | | | living work of art. At first, I was afraid to walk |
| beautiful images in small spaces. And Zen represents | | | | around in it, it seemed so delicate and I was afraid to |
| a Japanese garden in my mind because every | | | | disturb it. |
| Japanese garden that I have seen has had a Zen | | | | Luckily, our host noticed how awe-struck I was, and |
| theme to it. Even the homes in Japan have a Zen | | | | he came to me and explained the entire concept |
| theme to them, but it is in the garden that you really | | | | behind the design of a tranquil Japanese garden. He |
| see the spirit of Zen and Zen design. | | | | explained that certain design structures are inherent |
| The first time I learned anything about Japanese | | | | in a Japanese garden, and pointed each one out to |
| gardens was when my mother, who worked in a | | | | me, how rocks, water and plants are used. He had |
| language school, introduced me to the Japanese | | | | beautiful bonsai, as well as a Koi pond that |
| language professor. This gentleman spent many | | | | represented bounty and prosperity. |
| years in Japan studying and learning the Japanese | | | | I could not pull myself away from the beauty of this |
| language. In addition to learning the language, he | | | | garden, and the master of the house had, in the |
| learned a great deal about the culture of Japan, most | | | | space of a few hours, converted me from someone |
| notably for him, the gardens of Japan. He brought | | | | who knew nothing about Japanese gardens to |
| the concept of a Japanese garden to his home. | | | | someone who was convinced he had to create the |
| I was able to see a Japanese garden for myself | | | | beauty, simplicity and symbolism of a Japanese |
| when my mother and I were invited, along with all of | | | | garden for himself. I now have a tranquil Japanese |
| the other colleagues from the language school, to his | | | | garden of my own, and am thankful to the professor |
| home to celebrate the birthday of this professor's | | | | for introducing me to this lovely art form. |
| first grandson. I couldn't help but notice the garden in | | | | |