7 iconic attributes of a Japanese-style garden
A characteristic feature of Japanese philosophy is harmony in everything, but above all - the harmony of man and nature. To convey the atmosphere of this unity, in the 10th century, gardens of a very original design began to be created in the Land of the Rising Sun. Subsequently, they became known to the whole world and do not lose popularity to this day. Our summer residents also liked it.
You should immediately pay attention to the fact that the "skeleton" of the Japanese garden is, and the "blood" is water. This is what the Japanese themselves think. There is also a third important component -. But since water, stones and plants can be found in other gardens, the peculiarity of the Japanese is the arrangement of these elements and the use of iconic attributes.
1. Tsukubai
Behind this mysterious word is a traditional bowl for washing hands and face before the tea ceremony. Tsukubai is made from solid raw stones.It is permissible to decorate with hieroglyphs or symbols characteristic of Japanese spiritual culture. Outwardly, the tsukubai resembles a small well. Next to the bowl should be a bamboo ladle.
Of course, Japan has its own strict rules for the construction and location of the gazebo. In the country version of the Japanese garden, they can be neglected and a gazebo can be installed so that it does not obscure the plantings and fits organically into the overall picture of the site.
5. Bamboo hedges
The Japanese are very jealous of personal space. A garden is a place where you merge with nature, with your thoughts. It has no room for prying eyes. But not in our usual form either. There are only bamboo fences.They can be of different heights and frequencies of weaving. Traditional variations never use nails. Such hedges can both separate parts of the garden from each other, hide unnecessary elements (for example,), and be decorative.
6. Stone sculptures
in a real Japanese garden, they are never placed anywhere and anyhow. And the sculpture itself cannot be anything. Each has its own meaning. Buddha - peace and tranquility, dragon - strength, lion - protection, turtle - longevity, crane - desire to know the truth, etc.
Sculptures in the Japanese garden. Photo courtesy of iStock.com/PicturePartners Leiden, Netherlands
If you are not immersed in Buddhist philosophy, then it is better not to abuse these kinds of symbols and acquire something neutral. Benefits of various kinds can be found without much difficulty. One “but” - for a Japanese-style garden, they should be as natural as possible and painted in one tone, no riot of colors.
7. Lanterns
What is a Japanese garden without? Usually they are placed along the paths on the way to the gazebo, pond or other significant object. All lanterns are plain, there are no colored ones in the Japanese garden. Here are the form options:- Tachi-gata- These are high stone lanterns, similar to small pillars. Their height should not exceed 3 meters. Tachi-gata can illuminate a large area;
- Katsuga- a lantern, which is very similar to tachi-gata, but differs from it in the abundance of carved decorations;
- Ikekomi-gata are shaped like a pillar. They dig into the ground along the edges of the paths;
- Okie-gata- the most compact flashlights. Their goal is to create a mysterious twilight. Oki-gata can be placed along the banks of a garden pond, on stones or among plants;
- Yukimi-gata, or "snow lantern" - a squat lantern with a wide roof. Due to the shape of the roof, it is called snowy, because during the period of snowfalls, snow remains on it and is effectively illuminated.
Of course, due to climatic features and cultural differences, a real Japanese garden in a summer cottage cannot be recreated. But you can get as close to the original as possible thanks to these design elements.
What do you think about Japanese style gardens?