Japanese gardening is a cultural form of gardening, that is meant to produce a scene, that mimics nature as much as possible, by using trees, shrubs, rocks, sand, artificial hills, ponds and flowing water, as art-forms.  The Zen and Shinto traditions, are both a large part of Japanese gardening and because of this, the gardens have a contemplative and reflective state of mind.  Japanese gardening is very different, to the Western style of gardening and most would say it is far more meditational and soul soothing.

  In Japanese gardening, there are three basic methods for scenery.  The first of these, is reduced scale.  Reduced scale, is the art of taking an actual scene from nature, mountains, rivers, trees, and all and reproducing it, on a smaller scale.   Symbolization, involves generalization and abstraction.  An example of this, would be using white sand, to suggest the ocean.  Borrowed views, refers to artists, that would use something like an ocean, or a forest as a background, but it would end up becoming an important part of the scene.

  There are essentially two types of Japanese gardening. Tsukiyami, which is a hill garden and mainly composed of hills and ponds.  The other is Hiraniwa, which is basically the exact opposite of Tsukiyami and a flat garden, without any hills or ponds.

  The basic elements used in Japanese gardening, include rocks, gravel, water, moss, stones, fences and hedges.  Rocks are most often used as centrepieces and bring a presence of spirituality, to the garden.  According to the Shinto tradition, rocks embody the spirits of nature.  Gravel is used as, a sort of defining surface and is used to imitate the flow of water, when arranged properly.  Stones are used to create a boundary and are sculpted into the form of lanterns.  Water, whether it be in the form of a pond, stream, or waterfall, is an essential part of a Japanese garden.  It can be in the actual form of water, or portrayed by gravel, but no matter what form water is in, it is crucial to a Japanese garden’s balance.

  There are several forms and types of plants, that are signatures of Japanese gardening. The main one is Bonsai.  Bonsai is the art of training everyday, average plants, such as Pine, Cypress, Holly, Cedar, Cherry, Maple and Beech, to look like large, old trees, but just in miniature form.  These trees range from only five centimeters, to one meter high and are kept small, by pruning, re-potting, pinching of growth and wiring of the branches.

  Japanese gardening is a tradition, that has crossed over to the fashion conscious west. The Muso Soseki, poet, said “Gardens are a root of transformation”.  A Japanese garden, is sure to bring about many different feelings and is definitely a transforming experience.
Sally Robson is an up and coming, South African internet marketer, with a vision of empowering all fellow South Africans and non U.S folk, to have equal opportunity and success on the internet. She and her husband Derek, have started a string of sites, resources, courses and articles, as part of Dersalsites. She also has a passion for gardening.
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