Here are some of the most celebrated Japanese landscape gardens in Tokyo, which offer particularly fine examples of all the elements that make up a traditional nihon teien (Japanese garden). Over time, Japanese gardens have evolved to serve different purposes, but the traditional concept of combining the elements of stone, water, foliage and man-made features has remained an integral part of creating these unique havens for finding solitude and admiring the four seasons.ĭue to the asymmetry and meticulous approach to each garden’s design, no two are alike – which is apt given that they are also intended to reflect the transient nature of the changing seasons. Elements such as ponds and stones represent both physical aspects of the Earth and abstract concepts relating to spirituality, whereas tea houses and stone water bowls add a scenic component to the space, making it more hospitable to guests. Garden design is an important Japanese art form with an intricate history partially rooted in Zen Buddhism. But Tokyo is also home to its fair share of beautiful Japanese gardens. There are spacious parks and verdant nature escapes within the city limits, perfect for enjoying the warmer weather. Without a speck of dust being raised, the mountains tower up without a single drop falling, the streams plunge into the valley.Tokyo is famous for its urban sprawl, but you're never far from some greenery amid the skyscrapers. When you contemplate a garden like this it will form a lasting impression on your heart." - Muso Soseki "When a garden is used as a place to pause for thought, that is when a Zen garden comes to life. Photo depicts - Furyû The flowing elegance of gardens The Seattle garden is as traditionally Japanese as a Zen garden can get. All are welcome to visit the garden and enjoy its beauty, spirituality, and history. Right in the very heart of Washington, in Seattle to be more precise, there is a Japanese garden that is known to create one of the most calming and stimulating effects to the busy and stressed mind. The garden is enclosed within Sykes dormitory walls which shut out the busy world, creating a peaceful refuge for students, staff, faculty, and community members. This conveniently allows the garden to connect the two sides of campus – the southern side is sciences and the northern is the home of the humanities and arts. The garden is located in the courtyard of Sykes Residence Hall. The garden was to be a place for quiet reflection as well as a living classroom for the arts, humanities and the sciences, specifically biology and geology. Lawrence University students, Professor MacWilliams and Professor Shrady designed and built the garden following a trip to Japan. Combining an Asian Studies Initiative grant and a grant from the Dolan Family for building an outdoor geology lab, the idea of a traditional Japanese Zen garden with an Adirondack twist was born. The North Country Garden, which was opened in the fall of 2008, was created through collaboration between Professor Mark MacWilliams and Professor Catherine Shrady. Information taken from: “The meaning behind the mystery of Japanese Zen gardens”īy Robin Lane Fox Purpose and Design of the Garden In the 21st century, Japanese Zen gardens continue to be built around the word. ![]() Step lightly if you have to step on your design. Repeat until the grooves in the gravel are deep and precise. Stand on the stone, if possible, and drag the wooden rake in a circle around the stone. Gardens and gardeners of this period left a legacy that is used in garden design and development to this day. Rake circles around the large stones to create the illusion of ripples. The use of rock and sand became widespread and the idea that rocks, pebbles, and gravel could represent elements in nature like water, animals, mountains and islands was adopted. Later in the 14th century, the Muromachi Period, Muso Soseki, a Zen monk, brought great popularity to Zen landscaping with his technique and designs. Dry rock landscapes also began to emerge. The idea of death and rebirth was embraced and use of elements and colors that changed with the seasons became more prominent. Then during the Heian Period (8th – 12th century) inspiration began to come from Japanese natural landscapes and Buddhism. Gardens began to take on the nature of the five island concept. ![]() Urashima saved the life of a sea turtle and in return was taken to one of five immortal islands. During the 8th century garden designers and story tellers in Japan were inspired by the tale of a fisherman named Urashima Taro.
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