Stone-use to represent water such as a dry creek beds, ponds or a beach entry. As an overall design intention, remember you are miniaturizing the cosmos in a naturalistic way. Paths, bridges, and walkways create diverse experiences. Artistic focal points of rock may be used to enlighten and excite the spirit of the observer. There may be combinations of paths that create a journey through a winding path were there are seating areas for quite contemplation, meditation or entertainment. The first decision to be made in designing a Japanese Garden is to decide what “themes” will run throughout the garden.

A bridge to an island either with stepping stones or a wood bridge.

An enclosure such as a hedge, fence, or wall reflecting elements of the homes architecture or simply wood, bamboo, or other matting.

Rocks-used as representations placed upright to suggest mountains, character or spiritual themes and add a grounding element.

Water-either as fountains, streams, ponds, lakes or interpretations in stone.

They are designed with very specific view points so that subconsciously universal, spiritual, or passive themes could be experienced. Japanese gardens create themes and are extensions of the architecture of the home.

Many famous and traditional gardens from the past were renovated or reconstructed by wealthy business owners and politicians of the time.ĭeep philosophical and spiritual interpretations and nuances were intertwined with Japanese Garden design but we can view overall meanings and structures to understand, interpret and bring Japanese Garden design into the modern day context for our own beauty, enjoyment and renewal. Meiji period followed Japanese modernization.Edo period (1603-1868) continued the style and preferences of shogun rulers and the Japanese tea ceremony became a vital part of the Japanese lifestyle reflected in the construction of tea houses built especially for this occasion.The dry landscape style from Zen Buddhism became popular. Zen beliefs were also flourishing at this time and had great influences over garden techniques and purposes.

Kamakura and Muromachi periods (1185-1573) this was the period of shogun rulers who enjoyed gardens for their beauty and revitalization.These became gardens for the wealthy of the time. Heian period (794-1185)-the garden shifted from representing religious beliefs to becoming a place for ceremony, entertainment and passive contemplation.

Small gardens were reflections of spiritual themes or miniaturizations of the large mountainous regions of China and Japan. Asuka period (538-710)-gardens were an expression of Buddhism and Taoism.

Japanese landscape design ideas