| As westerners, we are often compelled to try | | | | like one small area to feature a Zen garden? |
| to control and plan all design aspects of | | | | Is a stepping-stone pathway that leads to a |
| what we want when constructing something. We | | | | gate appealing?6) Will you be building this |
| try to anticipate every little detail so we | | | | garden by yourself or will you have help? The |
| don't make a mistake. Although you will still | | | | size, design and amount of work to create |
| need to organize and draw out your Japanese | | | | your Japanese garden will affect this answer. |
| garden design, plus determine the shape of | | | | Obviously, building a very large stroll |
| your landscape and what you desire for your | | | | garden by yourself would take forever and be |
| garden, you should also allow yourself to "go | | | | impractical.7) If you plan to use large |
| with the flow" and let it "speak to you" as | | | | boulders or plant more mature trees (rather |
| your garden takes shape. In other words, | | | | than saplings), how will you get them into |
| allow for improvisation and ideas to emerge | | | | your garden? Is there room and access for |
| rather than being rigid in sticking to your | | | | large machinery to help with placement? Keep |
| original design plan.Before any work begins | | | | in mind boulders and large trees are |
| within the yard itself, a basic garden plan | | | | extremely heavy.8) Will your garden be |
| should be drawn up to help you formulate your | | | | formal, semi-formal, or informal (rustic)?9) |
| ideas and the placement of elements. There | | | | Many Japanese gardens are actually built |
| are several questions you need to address to | | | | around a theme. Do you have a theme in mind |
| help with this process:1) Do you already have | | | | for your garden? An example of a theme would |
| an existing garden in the area where you wish | | | | be a miniaturized version of "The Bridge To |
| to incorporate a Japanese garden style? If | | | | Heaven", which is a marble and stone bridge |
| so, what type of garden is it (flower garden, | | | | that spans the famous Dragon Beard Ditch in |
| English garden, rustic wildflower garden, | | | | China. This bridge was built over 600 years |
| etc.)?2) Will you be able to integrate your | | | | ago to allow the Ming and Qing emperors to |
| current garden into the new Japanese garden | | | | cross over on their way to the Temple of |
| plan? What aspects and features will remain | | | | Heaven. Your theme could even revolve around |
| and what will have to be moved, replaced or | | | | a smaller replica or area of an original |
| removed entirely?3) What style of Japanese | | | | famous garden of Japan. Read books and view |
| garden are you most interested in - tea | | | | photographs of existing gardens to get some |
| garden, courtyard garden, stroll garden, pond | | | | ideas.10) What do you want to achieve with |
| and island garden, Zen rock garden or a | | | | your garden? Will it be used primarily for |
| combination of two or more? For very small | | | | meditation? Do you wish to incorporate a |
| areas, you will most likely stick to only one | | | | strolling pathway with new visual delights |
| style. For those that have a large landscape, | | | | beyond each curve? Do you want the |
| you can have your choice of any of the styles | | | | invigorating sounds of water, such as a |
| to suit your desires and landscape area.4) | | | | waterfall or fast moving stream? Will it be a |
| How large is the area of the site that you | | | | place to sit quietly and contemplate nature? |
| are considering using? Does it have natural | | | | Understanding the concept behind the garden |
| hills and valleys? Are there any elements, | | | | design is important.In conclusion, these |
| such a stream, already present? Take a good | | | | types of questions should be contemplated |
| visual view of your selected site and note | | | | carefully and answered thoroughly before you |
| down all the details on paper. Take | | | | begin to put your design down on paper, |
| measurements as well, so you know the exact | | | | otherwise you could end up with a garden that |
| area size you will be working with.5) What | | | | holds no meaning for you or your visitors. A |
| elements and features are important to you? | | | | Japanese garden should have a "reason for |
| For example, do you wish to add a waterfall, | | | | being." What are your reasons? |
| water basin, or a rock arrangement? Would you | | | | |