Characteristics and Styles of Japanese Gardens
– Designs accompanied by Japanese aesthetics and philosophical ideas
– Avoid artificial ornamentation and highlight the natural landscape
– Use plants and worn, aged materials to suggest a natural landscape
– Express the fragility of existence and the passage of time
– Evergreen plants are the foundation of Japanese gardens
– Different styles include Chisen-shoyu-teien, Kaiyu-shiki-teien, Moss garden, Dry garden, and Roji or teahouse garden
Influence of Japanese Gardens in the West
– Awareness of Japanese gardening reached the West in the late 19th century
– Enthusiastically received as part of the Japonisme fashion trend
– Japanese gardens became popular in the UK due to the similar climate
– Many typical Japanese garden plants, such as cherry trees and Japanese maples, are used in Western gardens
– Japanese gardens continue to be popular in the West as a section of larger gardens
History of Japanese Gardens
– Origins during the Asuka period, influenced by Chinese gardening techniques and styles
– Aesthetic rooted in the national religion of Shinto and influenced by Chinese philosophy
– Earliest recorded Japanese gardens were the pleasure gardens of Emperors and nobles
– Chinese gardens had a strong influence on early Japanese gardens
– Buddhism’s introduction from China in the 6th century brought detailed descriptions of Chinese gardens
Notable Gardens
– Byōdō-in in Uji, Kyoto, known for its Paradise Garden and traditional Chinese style
– Kyoto Imperial Palace and Heian-jingū known for their gardens
– Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion, and Ryōan-ji with its zen rock garden
– Zen gardens in Kyoto, including Ginkaku-ji, Nanzen-ji, Saihō-ji, and Tenryū-ji
Development and Evolution of Japanese Gardens
– Momoyama period focused on wars and featured ponds, lakes, and artificial mountains
– Tea gardens and tea ceremony influenced by Sen no Rikyū
– Edo period saw the use of sukiya-zukuri architecture and generous subsidies for building gardens
– Modernization in the Meiji period transformed old gardens into public parks and introduced western styles
– Contemporary Japanese gardens built during the Shōwa period and beyond, with landscape architects using modern materials like concrete Source URL:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_garden
