| Ever walked past someone's garden and been so | | | | |
| enraptured by the front yard that you hardly | | | | The introduction of something tall lends |
| registered what the house looked like? In | | | | itself to the look of the Japanese garden. |
| these days of the difficult-to-shift property | | | | Western gardens tend to be larger and boast a |
| market, that is the kind of garden you want. | | | | flat expanse of lawn; Japanese homes usually |
| | | | have tiny gardens. They tend to be more |
| Front yards that have appeal may draw a buyer | | | | vertical, and tall shrubs will often be |
| into your home. If they like the way you have | | | | placed to hide the house from the street. |
| finished your yard - they may think that they | | | | |
| will like the way you have finished your | | | | For an inexpensive focal point, you can dig a |
| home. | | | | bed and put a bamboo or a red Japanese maple |
| | | | (miniature or full size) plus other plants in |
| At this time of the year a yard is more about | | | | it. The bamboo bushes and trees will live in |
| evergreens and accessories than flowers, as | | | | most mild North American areas, though you |
| there are very few blooms available. Also - | | | | may have to 'cover it' in severe frosts. A |
| and for this reason - it is at this time of | | | | very large cactus or groupings of cacti will |
| year that the Japanese garden stands out. A | | | | also make an interesting focal point. |
| Japanese garden can lend itself to almost any | | | | |
| climate, from snowy to humid, from rainy to | | | | Smaller beds can be dug in across the yard. |
| desert. | | | | The center of the yard is deliberately left |
| | | | empty, and a lack of symmetry is desired. |
| To get an idea of the look of a Japanese | | | | This reflects the lack of perfection in the |
| garden, first look in a few magazines or | | | | world! |
| books at the library, or check out some | | | | |
| illustrations on the Internet. Pick | | | | For some authentic Japanese atmosphere, one |
| illustrations that look similar to the same | | | | tall and one shorter black lantern can be |
| size and shape as the layout of your garden. | | | | well placed along your winding (never |
| Depending on your preference you may wish to | | | | straight!) pathway, or sometimes peeking out |
| copy some layout plans or ideas. | | | | from amongst a selection of shrubs and |
| | | | plants. |
| Japanese gardens are traditionally ruled by | | | | |
| Zen philosophy. Each feature has a deeper | | | | A small pathway can lead to nowhere, and Zen |
| representation which you can ponder on, once | | | | gardens will always have at least one pathway |
| you are aware of them. As you walk through | | | | of either white round gravel or gray |
| your Japanese Zen area each day, you may even | | | | flattened gravel wending its way through your |
| absorb some of the peace embedded in the Zen | | | | shrubs; several glimpses of this pathway will |
| philosophy. These ideas for your own Japanese | | | | satisfy the unity and harmony requirement of |
| front yard will be discussed in two parts. | | | | Zen gardens. |
| | | | |
| Firstly, in "Your Own Japanese Garden: Part | | | | Whilst lanterns are more of a Buddhist |
| 1", the focus is on ambience, focal points, | | | | tradition, they have come to represent the |
| rocks and lanterns; then a follow up in "Your | | | | essence of the Japanese garden, so they are |
| Own Japanese Garden: Part 2" explores plants, | | | | also included in Zen designs. |
| water, bridges, vessels and aged items. These | | | | |
| combined features help to form the Japanese | | | | One very large Japanese lantern and one |
| Zen garden. | | | | smaller one elsewhere can look effective. |
| | | | These usually come in two traditional styles, |
| There are several factors of this look that | | | | one more fat-bellied and squat than the |
| can be touched on to create an unusual | | | | other. They are most commonly found in black |
| garden. In an abstract way, the qualities | | | | or pale gray. |
| that the gardens are representing are peace | | | | |
| and tranquility, and in Zen philosophy, this | | | | Some of the most inexpensive modern lighting |
| is created by simplicity. | | | | will lend itself to the Japanese mode. The |
| | | | 'push-in' mushroom type lamps are very easily |
| The relaxing ambience that encourages | | | | assimilated into the Zen garden design. |
| meditation can be achieved by placing a | | | | |
| bamboo or rattan chair plus a small table | | | | Rocks and stone are a big feature of the |
| near a wall, or in front of a lattice fence. | | | | Japanese garden, with different sized rocks |
| If your garden is in a hot part of the | | | | grouped seemingly at random. Smaller rocks |
| country, group the seats under a tree or | | | | will look good grouped with your focal point, |
| parasol. Stillness is the key word here. | | | | or added to a bush or plant grouping. |
| | | | |
| Two other abstract notions suggested in a Zen | | | | Try to find at least one big rock. If you |
| garden are represented physically by a focal | | | | have one big one, you can group smaller ones |
| point that is not placed centrally, and | | | | beside it and finish off with a fern or two. |
| secondly, a 'window' to a hidden part in your | | | | Stones represent life's immovable mountains. |
| garden. | | | | |
| | | | If that really resonates with you, beware; |
| This can be represented by a piece of tall, | | | | just one rock will suffice; you do not need a |
| latticed fence work, or a tree with shrubs | | | | rock for each immovable mountain in your |
| around, or a pagoda, or even simply a bench | | | | life! If you feel that you have numerous |
| that is partly concealed. This 'hide and | | | | immovable mountains in your life, then move |
| reveal' theme is suggestive of the quest for | | | | into "Your Own Japanese Garden: Part 2" where |
| human enlightenment and it also offers | | | | the de-stressing values of water-sounds are |
| privacy. You may wish to incorporate your | | | | discussed! |
| seating here for that reason. | | | | |