The history of Japanese gardens counts more than a thousand years and is strictly associated with Japanese culture. Japanese gardens were initially built by upper-class people such as aristocrats, warriors, monks, politicians for recreation and religious fulfillment. The art of Japanese gardens includes different types of gardens; rock gardens or zen gardens, tea gardens, promenade gardens, and courtyard gardens, all created for a different purpose.
The one-hour movie by Junkerman presents famous examples from each type explaining the philosophy, the materials used, the choice of design, and its use. Zen gardens are designed for meditation. They preserve the natural beauty and become heavens of beauty. Water is substituted by white sand. It is the place to take a break from life and rethink your path. Tea gardens inspire the visitor and help him understand profoundly the ancient ritual of tea when nature in a bowl becomes part of oneself. Promenade gardens are designed for walking in a form of natural landscape with lakes and small mountains. Last but, not least the importance of a garden in Japanese mentality is observed in the courtyard garden, as the Japanese have the need to live in the midst of nature.
The Japanese gardens include plants, stones, water, and wooden structures. Rocks do not change, but the plants change with seasons. In every garden, there are usually two plants representing each season. Bamboo is especially valued for artificial structures for its beauty and flexibility. Japanese value the line and search for organic lines which reveal the essence of a plant (Mizuno 3). Moreover, they prefer vertical and horizontal lines, because a diagonal disrupts the equilibrium. Gardens are treated with artistry and have to be clean, as the spirit of Buddha lives where people live.
The Japanese have promoted gardens into a spiritual place and they have developed an art of creating them. In western societies a garden represents nature, but it is not linked with the spirit and soul. It is constructed according to the taste of a person; the choice of elements is based on the climate and personal aesthetics. What Japanese architects propose is to re-evaluate garden in the context of modern architecture.
Works Cited
Mizuno, Katsuhiko. Masterpieces of Japanese Garden Art: 3. Japan: Kyoto Shoin International, 1992. Print.
Junkerman, John. Dream Window: Reflections on the Japanese Garden. Web. 15 May 2016.
