Nov
Small Japanese Gardens
I find Japanese gardens fascinating, I have visited Japan twice or two times once in 1998 & again in 2002. Japanese gardens are simple yet amazing, I particularly like the small Japanese gardens & this is what I’m going to be writing about here.
There are a few basic ideas that you really need to follow. Japanese gardens are very much about nature & a natural looking garden is thought to be the ‘ideal’ garden. Would you see a square pond in nature? I do not think so! So do not add one to your small Japanese garden. You should never create or add something to your garden that nature its self cannot.
Rocks are one of the most common things used in Japanese gardens especially the smaller ones. There is more. They are simple, natural & can be really effective. Sand is also commonly used along with a range of wild plants.
I love how the Japanese feel that they have to separate there small garden from the outside world. I do not know why but this concept really fascinates me.
There are basically 5 types of components that should be included in small Japanese gardens.
Rock or Ishi ? As I said above rocks are the foundations of Japanese gardens. Stones used are often tall, wide or arched in a natural looking way, this gives depth to the garden.
Water or Mizu ? Water is calming & is a great way to make the garden look natural. The Japanese say water is supposed to remind us of the relentless passage of time.
Plants or Shokobutsu ? Plants do play a secondary role to rocks & water in Japanese gardens unlike gardens from other cultures. Like water plants are said to have a meaning in Japanese gardens which is to remind us of each & every season passing away.
Ornaments or Tenkebutsu ? lanterns are often used in Japanese gardens particularly smaller Japanese gardens. There is more. These ornaments add an added interest to traditional Japanese gardens.
Borrowed or Shakkei ? This is usually something from outside the garden. The Japanese say it can be things from far, near, high or low.
That is the basic concepts that the Japanese use to create there small Japanese gardens. If you have a small garden which is in a sunny location I highly recommend that you look into making a Japanese garden. They are something really different!
Gardening in small places is something that I talk about in detail my blog Container-Garden To find out more about gardening in small gardens, patios & containers you should certainly check out my Container Gardening Blog for ton’s of help-fulinformation, tips & inspiration.
