You’ve come to right place if you want to learn more about Japanese landscape design. We’ll be discussing the ancient Sakuteiki and Heian periods, as well as the Muromachi period. We’ll also talk about the Momoyama period, when Japanese landscape design was at its most popular.
Sakuteiki
The Sakuteiki, a book about garden design that was first published in the eleventh century is still the oldest. It explains the principles of garden design, and focuses on small gardens that were common during the Kamakura or Edo periods. However, it’s not the only book about Japanese landscape design. Other texts, which are lost, discuss the principles of landscape architecture.
Sakuteiki suggests creating different types of miniature landscapes to create different settings. These include the ocean, sandy beaches, broad rivers, marsh ponds, and mountain torrents. These landscapes are designed to provide the perfect setting for many purposes, such as poetry contests, parties and general recreation. Several islands were also included in traditional Japanese gardens. The sacred temple gardens often featured the island that represents Mount Horai.
Even though early garden designers didn’t necessarily follow these principles the Sakuteiki can still be considered the foundation for Japanese landscape design. While it may seem like a simple formula for a Japanese garden, the details of the design can change over time.
Heian period
Gardens were created during the Heian period in Japanese landscape design for aristocratic families. These gardens were often designed to look like a landscape or a seascape. They were inspired by the Western Paradise, as described in the scriptures from the Jodo sect. Shinden style gardens typically feature a pavilion that enshrines the Amida Buddha and a pond that symbolizes the Western Ocean. Byodo-in Temple is a good example of this type of garden.
The Heian period in Japanese landscape design was when the nobility built palaces in Kyoto. These palaces were connected by long corridors. The Heian style of gardens featured many elements from China, including a lake and grotto, artificial hills, and unusually shaped stones.
The earliest gardens were not as elaborate as those of the Tang Dynasty. Many of these gardens had artificial islands, mountains and streams as well as heavy rocks that were used as embankments. They also featured Daoist and Buddhist symbolism. These gardens were intended to be places of enjoyment and festivals.
Muromachi period
The Muromachi Period in Japanese landscape design was a period of great innovation, both artistically and economically. It saw the development of transportation and urban networks and also the first contacts with China. This contact was a boon for the Japanese culture and its aesthetics. It saw the rise in Zen Buddhism.
Japan’s feudal lords built massive castles during this time. They also crafted gardens that incorporated stepping stones, artificial mountains and ponds. These gardens were often built next to castles. They also incorporated promenade garden design and Zen into their designs.
Contemplative gardens, or joge-nidan-shiki-teien, were extremely popular during the Muromachi period. These were meant to be enjoyed seated. They are also sometimes collectively referred to as zakan-shiki-teien.
In the late Heian Period, Japanese landscape design began to change. The new style was inspired by Buddhist ideals. This style used stones and was based on the concepts of Pure Land Buddhism and Amidism. The gardens were larger and more elaborate that their predecessors.
Edo period
Three distinct periods shaped Japanese landscape design: the Edo, Momoyama, and Meiji periods (1603-1867). From the early Edo period, the focus of garden activity shifted from Kyoto to Edo, which was the capital of the Tokugawa shogun. This period saw the creation of many fine gardens, such as the Korakuyen in Mito, which was intended for the cultivation plums and arrow shafts. Beautiful gardens were also a common feature in the provincial homes of feudal lords.
During the Edo period, gardens were designed to reflect the peaceful nature of the country. Many gardens featured scenes from Chinese mythology and history, as well as large, gently sloping hills with ponds. Bridges were also an important part of Japanese landscape design.
The Edo period saw the introduction pagodas. These pagodas were usually placed on a hill and partially covered with trees or shrubs. The pagodas were supposed to replicate the pagodas of Kyoto, which were famous throughout the world. Common were statues of Buddha, which were often carved in stone and placed inside museums and temples.
S-curve paths
S-curve paths can be a great way of creating depth in your Japanese garden. Curving paths encourage exploration. This type of path is preferred over straight ones. To further enhance the mystery, you can use techniques known as “hide and show”. These techniques include obscuring the path in a natural way.
Japanese gardens often use a green palette, which includes many types of trees, shrubs, flowers, and shrubs. They also often use lawns, ferns, and mosses. Japanese gardens often include flowering trees, which are prized for their open branch work during the winter and their spectacular flower displays in the spring. Pine trees, which are typically cloud-pruned, are also prized. Bamboo is also a popular choice in Japanese gardens. It symbolizes longevity and prosperity.
Japanese garden designs can also include ponds, in addition to plants and trees. These ponds often symbolize real lakes or mythical seas. Some ponds are home to koi fish, while others may be used as a place to stargaze at night.
Borrowed scenery
Borrowed scenery is a common theme in Japanese landscape design. This technique integrates nearby and distant landmarks into the garden’s composition. It is akin to a cross between painting and sculpture. The concept is most commonly used in the shakkei style of Japanese landscape painting.
Borrowed scenery in Japanese landscape design is often used to create a more dynamic ambiance. Although originally a Chinese technique, it is now widely used in Japanese gardens. The technique combines elements from the surrounding environment to create a back-layer that allows the garden enclosure to appear larger.
Borrowed scenery can be used to highlight certain species of plants. The cosmos’ undulating stems are most prominent when they are viewed against the blue sky. It also serves as a necessary backdrop for trees with intricate branch structures. Borrowed scenery can also be used to enhance the overall aesthetics in a garden, such a pagoda.
