One reason there’s so much green in traditional Japanese gardens is because the ground is usually completely covered with foliage (except for the path or stepping stones). Trees and flowers are deliberately picked to mark the passing of seasons in a visually spectacular way, or to highlight or hide other garden features. Green is the dominant colour – although you’ll find lots of subtle variation in colour and texture – and is used to create a sense of calm, tranquility and connection to nature. In Japanese gardens, plants are carefully chosen, positioned and pruned to contribute to the overall garden aesthetic. When you’re trying to embrace Japanese garden ideas, you have to let go of the western tendency to layer heaps of flowers together into overflowing planters and busy borders. Combine them with winding paths to build a sense of anticipation and journey through your Japanese Garden Plants and Greenery Actually, lots of gates are entirely symbolic and don’t close – or aren’t attached to fences at either side.īuilding arches or gates to divide your garden into separate areas can make it feel bigger and more purposeful. They’re used to emphasise the passage from one space into the next, and are rarely used as a barrier to keep people out.
This isn’t a philosophy – “mon” is simply the Japanese word for gate! Gates and thresholds play a big part in Japanese design, both for buildings and gardens. If you can blur the barrier between your garden and the scenery you’re borrowing, your space will immediately seem bigger. Borrowed Scenery – Shakkei (借景)īorrowing scenery means making use of features that are actually outside of your garden – like nearby fields, or a neighbour’s tree.
There is never a singular focal point and, instead, the elements are harmoniously brought together in a way that contrasts their features.įor example, vertical-standing fences or rocks might be positioned alongside low hedges or stepping stones. In contrast to French and Italian garden design, you won’t find symmetry in Japanese gardens. Asymmetry and Irregularity – Fukinsei (不均斉) In your garden, make sure to leave open space around each feature so that it can be properly 4. Ma creates harmony and balance, and emphasises the specific things that have been included. You’ll find ma in Japanese paintings, ikebana (flower arranging) and, of course, gardens. “Ma” negative space that’s been deliberately left empty. There is also a lot of symbolism used in Japanese gardens, so we’ll look at some examples of that too. To emulate Japanese garden design in your own home, it’s helpful to understand at least some of the guiding philosophies followed in Japan.
JAPANESE ZEN GARDEN IDEAS WINDOWS
Even when you’re not actually in your garden, the view from garden-facing doorways and windows should be beautifully framed. So, as you plan your garden layout, keep in mind that you’re creating a piece of art. The main objective is to emphasise the beauty of nature, even in small gardens, through careful landscaping choices and precise arrangements. In Japan, growing a traditional garden is considered one of the highest forms of art. Japanese Landscaping: Planning Your Layout If you want your own garden to be an escape from normality, and to be a place where you can find peace, you will really find a lot of ideas to make a Japanese inspired garden. The plants and trees in gardens, parks and even along forest walkways have been very deliberately chosen for their seasonal colours, so that visitors have a stunning view whenever they walk through. The colours, and the shapes – and the way they interact with the buildings and people to set a mood – are fascinating because they’re unlike anything at home.įinally: the scenery is beautiful in Japan because the Japanese are experts in subtly curating nature to help it really reach another level. Secondly: it’s so different from the scenery in the UK that it can’t help but have an impact. From the beautiful lakes to the iconic peak of Mount Fuji, nature is really doing some of its best work in Japan. The Japanese landscape is seriously stunning for several reasons. Photo by David Emrich Why is Japanese Scenery So Beautiful?
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