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Japanese Garden
By Craig Daniels
The Understated Elegance of A Japanese Garden The Art of A Japanese Garden
For as long as the ancient culture of Japan has existed, a most valued part of daily living was to insure tranquility and balance. This is most evident in the Japanese cultural drive to work hard, play harder and to find rest and rehabilitation for the senses in a peaceful atmosphere. Japanese gardens have deeply embedded roots in the spiritual natures of Japanese people and date back to Taoists and Buddhists in the early 5th century. These gardens were found in homes and public places. Ruins of these earliest Japanese gardens are found in towns like Fujiwara in Japan. The Focal Points of A Japanese Garden
The Japanese are lovers of simple beauty. This is the reason so many Japanese gardens have similar focal points such as waterfalls, stepping stones, large decorative rocks, vegetation or religious or symbolic statuary. Yet, to the trained eye, the design of a Japanese garden is the essence of the inherent cultural sense of beauty. From any angle or distance, a Japanese garden reflects artistic designs comprised of depths of color and explicit form. Each Japanese garden has a specific viewing purpose. It might be for the viewing pleasure in a serene corner of the residence, a pond garden viewed by passersby or for communing in silent meditation. Creating A Japanese Garden
Remember that tranquility and balance are the foundations for creating a Japanese garden. Choose an area where there are lots of opportunities for variation and elevation for plantings and garden enhancements. Each individual defines tranquility and balance differently. Keep in mind the Japanese garden is a place to come to for respite from worldly stress or discomfort. This helps configure the type of plantings and effects that fit best into the design. Try to extract a particular visual message from the initial design. As an example, the message of strength can be well incorporated into a Japanese garden with the use of strategically placed rocks. For those who need the soothing sound of water for rejuvenation, a main focal point may be water trickling gently over river rocks surrounded by flowering shrubs with blossoms of muted hues of pink, coral or white. Give A Japanese Garden Structural Design and Form
In order for a Japanese garden to have balance, structural design and form are important elements to emphasize. For example, plant trees at the highest focal point and cascade shrubs from that point naturally. A Japanese garden should never appear cluttered. The form of a Japanese garden depends on the size of its location. However, even the smallest areas can be transformed into a surprisingly beautiful garden by simplifying defining the form carefully. Early on, some Japanese gardens were created as a tea garden or place of worship. Don't be afraid to continue this tradition with the use of a well-placed tea service or an artful collection of statues. Keep these to a minimum. The signature style of a Japanese garden is fluid design and forms such as circular, oval or oblique angles. The Whimsy Of Japanese Gardens
Since design and form are so important to a Japanese garden, it's a good idea to test the boundaries of personal creativity by pruning trees, shrubs and planting in whimsical styles and patterns. Add a small bridge over a pond or stepping stones that lead to a tea garden. Create an Japanese-style cairn with rocks in several shapes and forms, flat to round, one atop the other and finish it with a Japanese lantern for a garden light for an evening stroll. Enjoy the rich crimson of a hybrid Japanese maple set off by two large lanterns in the center of the garden. For a water scene, float candles atop pond water or place a large lantern in the center. An ordinary gazebo can add visual interest to a Japanese garden by setting it off with deep green topiary. |
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PLEASE VISIT THE CONTRIBUTOR'S WEBSITE
 | | Laraine loved this intel. Apr 22, 2011 |
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This intel is wonderfully done, Craig. As I read along, I could actually picture the gardens. Well done .. 5*
CONTRIBUTOR'S REPLY
Laraine, thanks for stopping by and for you kind comment. I often see a garden like this when I close my eyes.
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This intel was contributed by webnh
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