Gardens

Japanese gardens harness elements such as ponds, streams, hills, and islands to create stunning and miniature replicas, yet unique natural scenery. There are a variety of elements combined to make the distinguished Japanese gardens.

Sand, Gravel, and Stones
Stones have been a significant part of Japanese culture since ancient times. Well known and large stones are worshiped as kami (shinto gods) in Shinto religion, while gravel identified with sacred grounds. This can be seen at some ancient shrines, Kamigamo Shrine (Kyoto) or the Ise Shrine for example.

Today, hills and mountains are symbolized using large stones. Stones also set decorative accents, and are used to build pathways and bridges. Ponds and streams are bordered with smaller rocks and gravel. Uniquely, dry gardens incorporate only stones. Waterfalls, mountains, and islands are symbolized by large stones, while sand and gravel replace water.

Ponds, Streams, and Waterfalls
Ponds are a central feature in most gardens. Real or mythical lakes and seas are often represented by ponds, while providing a habitat for koi fish. This also introduces additional color, aesthetic, and life to the garden.

Ponds may be used for boating or pavilions built over the water in recreational gardens. These have often been locations for Moon viewing parties as well as aristocratic poetry in past centuries.

Bridges and Islands
Bridges are built of stone or wood and can range from large, elaborate structures to simple slabs of rock.

Islands range in size from single rock formations to large enough to support buildings. They usually illustrate real islands or have religious symbolism, such turtles and cranes, or Horai, a sacred mountain in Taoism.

Vegetation
Japanese gardens, of course, embrace various flowers, lawns, shrubs, and trees of all kinds. Many are chosen for their seasonal appeal and are skillfully placed to focus on these qualities. Specifically plum, pine, and bamboo trees are held in great interest during the winter months while other vegetation is dormant. Mosses are vastly used as well.

Great endeavors are taken to maintain a plant’s exquisiteness while also being skillfully arranged around the gardens. Lawns, shrubs, and trees are diligently maintained and mosses are swept clean. In the winter season, trees and plants are protected against bug infestations and are also insulated from the snow using straw, burlap, and ropes.

Hills
Large man made hills, used especially in bigger gardens, represent real or mythical mountains. Some hills present visitors a panoramic and striking view of the garden.

Lanterns
Lanterns come in many shapes and sizes and have been a common component of Japanese garden design throughout history. They are usually made of stone and are placed deliberately in selected locations, such as on islands, next to significant buildings, and at the ends of peninsulas, where they provide both light and a pleasing aesthetic. Lanterns are often paired with water basins, which together make a basic feature of tea gardens.

Water Basins
Many gardens contain stone water basins (tsukubai). These are used for ritual cleansing, especially ahead of tea ceremonies. Basins are usually provided with a bamboo dipper for scooping up water. Nowadays, they often appear as a decorative addition more than for a practical use. Often paired with lanterns, water basins are an essential element of tea gardens.

Paths
With the introduction of strolling and tea gardens, paths became an integral part of Japanese gardens. Strolling gardens feature circular paths constructed of stepping stones, sand or packed earth, and crushed gravel. These are intentionally positioned to lead visitors to the best views of the garden. Winding paths also serve to set apart different areas from each other, so that they may be contemplated individually.

Buildings
Many types of gardens were built to be viewed from inside a building, such as a palace or temple. Gardens meant to be entered and enjoyed from within use buildings as a part of the garden's composition, including tea houses, guest houses, and pavilions.

Borrowed Scenery
Borrowed scenery (shakkei) is the concept of integrating background landscape outside of the garden into the garden’s design. Natural objects, such as mountains and hills, as well as man made structures, such as castles, can be used as borrowed scenery. In modern times, skyscrapers have mostly become an unintentional borrowed scenery for some gardens in the cities.