Japanese Garden

Submitted by-
Minhaz Yusuf
Muhammed Fasil
Introduction:
• The traditional Japanese Garden combines characteristics which have been
developed over many centuries and which reflects the influences of the
prevailing periods of history.
• A typical traditional Japanese garden cannot be claimed as it differs greatly
from one another (justified as each japanese is so different).
• These gardens were rarely open to the public.
• They were usually created by the elite group to meet their personal
requirements and to create in their surroundings a mood appropriate to
worship and contemplation.
• Originally the garden represents the paradise of Buddha.
• The Japanese Garden shows a major influence of Zen Buddhism which was
brought from China in the 13th century.
• Traditional Japanese Garden is complex and difficult and it uses elements such
as ; water, islands of stones, plants and garden accessories.
Shugakuin, Kyoto
One of the largest gardens in Kyoto, was built for a retired emperor so
that he might spend his remaining years in tranquility.
Silver Pavilion or Ginkakuji
It was created for the Shogun Ashihaga Yashimasa in order that he
might escape the maddening conflicts and violence taking place in
the capital nearby
 Symbolism
• In every Japanese garden water is a crucial design element and such style is
known as chisen which a pond or lake occupies the most significant portion of
the garden.
• Water is the symbol and expression of the sea and the quantity is unimportant.
• If space is a problem, then a bucketful of water contained in a stone water basin
is provided or the sea is symbolized by grey gravel or sand and the state of the
sea is expressed by sand patterns.
• Shape of the islands may resemble to that of a crane or a tortoise as it symbolises
auspiciousness and longevity.
• The treasure ship may be represented by a rock or group of rocks.
Dry Gardens
• Islands are symbolised by rocks of interesting shapes set in gravel or sand.
• Group of stones represent a rocky seashore.
• The “three Buddha” arrangement called sanson is one of the most orthodox
styles in the art of stone arrangement. It consists of three rather vertical stones.
The largest stone, which is always placed in the center, represents the Buddha
while the two smaller stones placed nearby represent two Bodhisattvas. This
arrangement is used commonly to express a waterfall.
• Trees and plants used in the garden are related to the spiritual and physical life
of the Japanese people. Some of the plants that are commonly used are pines
(which expresses both longevity and happiness)-black and red pines(positive an
negative forces in the universe),bamboo (evergreen) and plum (patience),bonsai.

The three Buddha arrangement

Design:
• Important concept in the garden is "simplicity" or kanso. In
this concept, beauty is attained through omission and
elimination.
• Simplicity means the achievement of maximum effect with
minimum means.

•The arbors in the garden are partially hidden

behind trees and fences and accessories such
as stone lanterns are hung on to the shrubs

•garden walks and pavements

are provided with intricate
and creative patterns with
subdued colors and textures
• Colorful objects are eliminated as building materials. Natural and subdued
colors are praised.
• Symmetry in shapes or forms are avoided whenever possible.
• The shape and counter of the lake and the form are irregular.
• The grouping of stones and trees are odd in number.
• Buildings, bridges, fences, and pavement all utilize natural material
constructed in a most imaginative and refined manner.
Principles of Japanese Gardens
• The traditional Japanese Garden follows the seven zen design principles-
• The seven design related principles published by Garr Reynolds in 2009
1. Simplicity
• Things are expressed in a plain, simple, natural manner. unimportant
things are omitted and clarity is acheived..
• The overall effect is fresh, clean, and neat.
• Zen lesson: Eliminate what doesn't matter to make more room for what
does
2. Asymmetry

• The goal is to convey the symmetry of the natural world by asymmetrical

and incomplete renderings. The effect is that the viewer supplies the
missing symmetry and participates in the creative act.
• Zen lesson: Leave room for others to co-create with you; provide a
platform for open innovation.
 3. Naturalness
• The nature of the Japanese garden that the viewer perceives is not
accidental. This is a reminder that design is not an accident, even when
we are trying to create a natural feeling environment.
• It is not a raw nature as such but one with more purpose and intention.
• Zen lesson: Incorporate naturally occurring patterns and rhythms into
your design
• The natural light is been filtered through the trees and there is a play of
shadow and the woods itself acts as furniture.

4. Subtlety
• A Japanese garden, for example, can be said to be a collection of
subtleties and symbolic elements. Photographers and designers can
surely think of many ways to visually imply more by not showing the
whole, that is, showing more by showing less.
• Zen lesson: Limit information just enough to pique curiosity and leave
something to the imagination.
 5. Break from routine
• This principle states that a garden should offer a lot of surprises and
amazements and one should have a freedom from convention.
• Hence, the garden is been made with raw materials of nature and surprises
await at almost every turn in a Japanese Garden.
• Zen lesson: An interruptive “break” is an important part of any
breakthrough design.

6. Stillness
• Creative energy is encountered in a calm and quietude environment;and it
is then we enter meditation, which enhance self-awareness, focus and
attention.
• Zen lesson: Doing something isn’t always better than doing nothing.

7. Austerity
• Garden should be direct and simple without being flashy.
• The term is sometimes used today to describe something cool but
beautifully minimalist, including technology and some consumer products.
• Zen lesson: Refrain from adding what is not absolutely necessary in the first
place.
Elements of Japanese Garden
1. Water
• It symbolises renewal , calm, wonder and continuity.
• Water is found in many forms. It accumulates in the ponds, runs in the
streams or tumbles in the cascades.
• They are being oriented with respect to the sun.

2. Stones
• They are the symbol of duration and the presence of forces of the nature.
• They are laid according to the shape and size and are often twinned by
pairs or by style contrast( a male rock opposed by a female rock).

3. Lantern
• It was used to guide the visitors during nocturnal celebrations, its light
was also considered as the light of knowledge clearing away the clouds
of ignorance.
• Sculptured in stone and is placed near water it provides an architectural
element which contrasts with the natural components of the garden.
 4. Bridges
• Bridges may be built of wood, bamboo, earth or stone. Whether they are
rounded, arc shaped or in zigzags, they always remain in harmony with the
surrounding nature.

5. Plants
• It expresses their joys and pains , it is also associated with moving thoughts
and the universal forms of life.
• Plants are being shaped into exact forms.
• Plants which are being used-
1. Serviceberry
2. Pine
3. Japanese Maple
4. Lotus
5. Iris

6. Carps
• Its a symbol of strength and perseverance and it brings a flashy colour to
the shallow waters