| Japanese gardens create landscapes which | | | | boulders, gravel or sand, moss and a limited |
| resembles nature through the careful | | | | number of trees an shrubs. Carefully placed |
| placement of trees, shrubs, rocks, sand, | | | | stones symbolize islands while the gravel or |
| artificial hills, ponds, and water. Zen and | | | | sand, raked into interesting patterns, |
| Shinto traditions have greatly influenced | | | | symbolizes water. Zen gardens help clear the |
| Japanese gardening and as a result the | | | | mind and aid in contemplation. |
| gardens are contemplative and serene spaces. | | | | |
| It is essential that all the elements work | | | | Another type of Japanese garden is the tea |
| well together within the garden and that the | | | | garden. The tea garden is considered a |
| relationship between rocks, plants and water | | | | ceremonial space which consists of an outer |
| is well thought out. | | | | garden and an inner garden. Tea gardens are |
| | | | small and are ideal for those gardens with |
| The basic landscape elements found in most | | | | limited space. The outer garden is informal |
| Japanese gardens include trees, shrubs, | | | | and consists of an entry gate to and a stone |
| rocks, gravel, water, moss, stones and | | | | path leading toward the inner garden. Another |
| fences. Boulders are often used as | | | | stone path flows through the inner garden, |
| centerpieces and provide the garden with a | | | | whose plants are more formally placed. The |
| feeling of stability. Gravel is used to | | | | inner path leads to a small building where |
| imitate the flow of water and other small | | | | the actual tea ceremony is performed. |
| stones are used to create boundaries and are | | | | |
| turned into sculptural lanterns. Water, | | | | Another garden appropriate for a small space |
| whether it be in the form of a pond, stream, | | | | or patio is the courtyard garden. The design |
| or waterfall, is an essential part of a | | | | of the Japanese courtyard garden is kept |
| Japanese garden. It can be actual water or a | | | | simple and is usually built to be observed |
| symbolic representation, either way, it is | | | | from inside the house. It could, however, be |
| vital to the Japanese garden. | | | | planned so it is a useable outdoor space. |
| | | | Consisting of a few plants, a small water |
| In Japanese gardening there are three basic | | | | feature, a dry stream, or other simple |
| ways to create a landscape scene. The first | | | | elements, the Japanese courtyard garden |
| of these is reduced scale. Reduced scale is | | | | allows nature and light to flow into your |
| the art of taking an actual scene from | | | | home through large windows and patio doors. |
| nature, mountains, rivers, trees, and all, | | | | |
| and reproducing it on a smaller scale. | | | | The above examples are just a few Japanese |
| Symbolization is abstract and could include | | | | garden styles. Before designing and planting |
| using white sand to symbolize water and | | | | your own garden, look through some garden |
| boulders to symbolize islands. Borrowed views | | | | books and search for photos of Japanese |
| refers to the use of distant a landscapes, | | | | gardens online. Japanese gardens are intended |
| such as a mountain, and incorporating it into | | | | to create a meditative and relaxing |
| the garden. | | | | experience. A little planning and research |
| | | | will help you design a serene and beautiful |
| There are several types of Japanese gardens. | | | | landscape which will delight all who visit |
| Zen garden are meant to be viewed rather than | | | | your garden. |
| entered. They are comprised of a mix of | | | | |