Japanese Gardens – Types and Features That Add Beauty and Serene
Gardens are the most important aspect in Japanese culture. They are nature-loving people, who want to nurture the true colors of life by meticulously shaping the infrastructure of their gardens. As we know, gardens are a mandatory part of our life. They are environment friendly and keep the atmosphere serene and peaceful. Japanese people love to make their gardens exceptional and alluring. They keep on trying to make it unique and investing a big amount of their time in forming these gardens.
Features/Elements of Japanese Gardens
There are three essential features that we can found in Japanese gardens, and they are;
- Stone; it forms the structure of the landscape.
- Water; which is considered as the life-giving force.
- Plants; which adds beauty to the garden.
Stone in the Form of Gravel and rocks, Water in the form of ponds/ streams/cascades can add beauty and enhance the Gardens.
Gravel and rocks
The most common example of it is crushed fine gravel. You can also use very tiny-sized pebbles. If you want to have a walk then you can go for it. You can also use poultry grit. It is budget- friendly as compared to others.
You can use different colors of gravel according to the color choice of your garden ornaments. You can use top vertical stones lower vertical stones or reclining stones. Stepping stones can also be used in this regard if you want to have a walk.
Ponds and Rivers
Water gives life to the gardens, and ponds and rivers are the actual shape of this driving force. They add beauty to the whole scene. Ponds can be used for boating. You can take it as a way to heading back to your place. In past centuries, people love to see moons whilst boating in these pools. It adds mystical features to the gardens. Water basins are also used in these gardens. Nowadays, it is used more for decorative purposes as compared to practical purpose.
Plants, Trees, Flowers in Japanese gardens
Many plants make the Japanese gardens top-notch. We can find a variety of plants that adds colors of life to it and nurture nature beautifully in it.
- Wisteria; symbolizes long-term and mortality. The leaves and flowers can be used as a substitute for tea. It stems used in making papers.
- Lotus; use in making medicines. Its flowers are used to stop bleeding and for digestion issues.
- Iris; are used in aromatherapy.
- Hydrangea; are famous for ornamental purposes. Its color symbolizes harmony, love, and peace.
- Hosta; fills the landscape beauty, but you have to be very careful while growing this, because it is poisonous.
- Cherry; they are Japan’s famous national flowers.
- Camellia; is used for adorning purposes.
- Bamboo; is used in ayurvedic medicines as a cooling tonic; it treats cough and asthma and even as an aphrodisiac.
- Azalea; used for floral arrangements.
Bamboo fencing
The fence adds beauty to the gardens whilst giving space to the gardens. The style of fencing either is one-sided or two-sided. Bamboo fences are very helpful in these gardens. It is considered a strong wood. There are many types of fence that you can use like;
- Daimyo fence; is used to make a partition in your garden.
- kenning Ji fence; it is used as a lifesaver against rain.
- katsura fence; it uses for providing space.
- Yotsume fence; it is one of the easiest to build. This is a great fence to learn a little about cutting, drilling and, tieing bamboos.
- There are some other secondary elements in Japanese gardens, and they are;
- Pagados, lanterns, water basins, arbors, and bridges.
Types of Japanese gardens
There are two types of design on which these gardens can be formed;
- Number one is the gardens for a walk.
- Number two is the gardens that you can see from your windows.
Besides that, there are many types of gardens. Let’s crack on with this.
1.Pond and Island Garden
They are considered the oldest type of gardens. It is comprised of little ponds which picture it just like an island. It looks so beautiful. You can make it in your garden or in a big place, as you like.
2.Tea garden
Tea gardens were formed in 16th C. It was inspired by tea master “sen no rikya”. This garden has big tea plants, which are considered the most important ingredient for Japanese people. The most famous tea which formed there is white tea.
3.Courtyard gardens
They are situated in small spaces between buildings. They are very relaxing gardens. Japanese people love to exercise and to meditate, and for that, they are keen on making these gardens beautiful, which is the ultimate source of their serenity that they want to explore.
4.Classical Zen gardens
These gardens dated back to the master Zen. It is famous for its beauty, purity, and for meditation spiritually. It has a deep connection with history that is beautifully reflected in these gardens.
5.Dry landscape gardens
The main feature of this garden is that it does not have water. It can be replaced by gravel. It is similar to a dry ocean or river.
6.Study gardens
This garden is not for wanderers. It is cleared from its name that, it is for students. So, they can study here. It is made up of bridges, lanterns, pagodas, and statuary.
7.Strolling garden
They reflected peace, soft shorelines, and, curved hills. It is also created from a historical perspective. The myths of China and Japan are also reflected here. It reflects the wealth and intellectual powers of the Owena. Elements of these gardens are rocks, ornaments, water, and plants.
Japanese gardens as a symbolism
Japanese gardens are diligently designed that’s why they are so unique. Most materials are not usual here. The elements in these gardens symbolize many things. Let’s bring this thing to light by elucidating these symbols.
Pine tree; symbolizes the perseverance in these gardens.
Tortoise stones; It is a symbol of longevity, according to Japanese people, tortoise lives up to 10, 000 years.
Sand and stone Gardens : It includes all of the key features of classical Japanese gardens, like stone, water plants. They are renowned for their transcendent beauty.
Poland Japanese gardens :They are the representation of birth, life, and death.
From our analysis of the infrastructure of Japanese gardens, we can say that, they love to design their gardens. Japanese gardens are jam-packed of all these features, like the landscape, the breath-taking view, the fencing design, the river and pool designs, and much more, which highlight it among others. That’s why many people love to design their gardens according to Japanese way of styling.
- Written by
- Mehreen Ahsan
