The Grammar of Japanese Gardening: 7 Basic Elements and 8 Principles

Japanese gardening is indeed a highly skilled art form that requires a deep understanding of both the materials and the principles that govern their use. In many ways, it can be thought of as a language that uses natural materials as its vocabulary.

The “words” or building blocks of this language are the elements that make up a Japanese garden, including rocks, vegetation, water, and stone lanterns. Each of these elements has its own unique properties and can be used to convey different meanings and emotions.

For example, rocks can be used to represent mountains or islands, while water can symbolize a river or a lake. Vegetation, such as trees, shrubs, and flowers, can be used to create different shapes, sizes, textures and colors within the garden, and stone lanterns can be used as a focal point or to add a sense of balance and symmetry.

Just as in language, the principles of syntax and grammar are also important in Japanese gardening. These principles govern how the different elements are combined and arranged within the garden to create a harmonious and balanced composition.

Some of the key principles of Japanese gardening include balance, harmony, simplicity, and asymmetry. For example, rocks and vegetation may be arranged in a way that creates a sense of balance and symmetry, while the use of empty space can create a sense of simplicity and tranquility.

Japanese gardening is a beautiful and intricate art form that requires both technical skill and a deep understanding of the natural world. By using natural materials as its vocabulary and principles of balance and harmony as its grammar, Japanese gardeners are able to create stunning compositions that evoke a sense of peace, tranquility, and beauty.

It is true that Japanese gardening, like any art form, is not a uniform body of techniques and practices. Different styles of Japanese gardening use different “grammars” or principles to create their unique expressions.

For example, a stroll garden, which is designed for leisurely walking and contemplation, may use a wide range of elements such as rocks, water, and vegetation to create a varied and dynamic landscape. On the other hand, a dry landscape garden, which is also known as a karesansui garden, typically uses only rocks and sand to create a minimalist and abstract composition.

This does not mean that one style of gardening is better or more advanced than another. Rather, each style has its own unique character and can evoke different feelings and emotions in the viewer.

Furthermore, like languages, gardening grammars and styles evolve and change over time. New techniques and materials may be introduced, and the principles of balance and harmony may be reinterpreted in new ways. These changes may be influenced by internal trends within the gardening community, as well as external factors such as cultural, social, and political changes.

The diversity and evolution of Japanese gardening reflect its status as a living art form that continues to adapt and evolve over time.

Basic Elements of Japanese Gardening

The basic elements of Japanese gardening are:

Rocks
Trees and shrubs
Soil
Water
Man-made structures such as fences, walls, paths, and bridges
The decorative elements include stone lanterns, water basins, flowers, carp, and boats.
Small buildings such as teahouses, pavilions, and shrines may also be included in larger gardens, as well as transitional devices such as decks for contemplation.

The basic elements of Japanese gardening are indeed important structural features that are used to create the overall composition and atmosphere of the garden. These elements include rocks, vegetation, water, and man-made structures such as fences and paths.

Rocks are a particularly important element in Japanese gardening, as they are often used to create compositions that represent natural features such as mountains, waterfalls, and rugged seascapes. By arranging rocks in different shapes and configurations, gardeners can create a sense of depth and perspective, as well as a feeling of tranquility and harmony.

Vegetation, such as trees and shrubs, are also important in Japanese gardening. They are often pruned, clipped, and trained into a variety of shapes, and different species are used to create contrasts between mountain slopes, meadows, and valleys. Trees and shrubs can also be used to connect different scenes within the garden and provide a sense of continuity and harmony.

Water is another important element in Japanese gardening, as it can be used to create streams, ponds, and waterfalls that add movement and sound to the garden. Water is often channeled and redirected to create the desired effect, and the placement and size of water features can have a significant impact on the overall composition and atmosphere of the garden.

Man-made structures such as fences, walls, paths, and bridges are used in Japanese gardening to provide a framework for the garden and guide the visitor along a predetermined course. These structures can be used to create a sense of enclosure and intimacy, as well as to provide a focal point or point of transition between different scenes within the garden.

The basic elements of Japanese gardening are carefully chosen and arranged to create a sense of harmony and tranquility that is both beautiful and meaningful. By using rocks, vegetation, water, and man-made structures in creative and innovative ways, Japanese gardeners are able to create compositions that are both stunning and deeply resonant with the natural world.

These decorative elements and small buildings play an important role in enhancing the overall beauty and charm of a Japanese garden. Stone lanterns, for example, are not only decorative but also serve a functional purpose of providing light during the night. Water basins or tsukubai are often used for cleansing rituals in Japanese culture and add a calming element to the garden. Flowers, carp, and boats add color and movement to the garden, creating a lively and dynamic atmosphere.

Small buildings such as teahouses, pavilions, and shrines are often included in larger Japanese gardens to provide a place for visitors to rest and contemplate the garden. Teahouses are especially important in Japanese tea ceremonies and are designed to be simple, rustic, and in harmony with the natural surroundings. Pavilions, on the other hand, are more elaborate structures that can be used for viewing the garden or for other social activities. Shrines, although less common in Japanese gardens, add a spiritual element and are often placed in a secluded corner of the garden.

Transitional devices such as decks or verandas are also used in Japanese gardens to provide a transition between the main building and the garden. These structures allow visitors to sit and contemplate the garden from a different perspective, rather than walking through it.

These decorative elements and small buildings are important components of Japanese gardens, adding depth, character, and interest to the overall design.

Basic Principles of Japanese Gardening

The basic principles of Japanese gardening are:

Miniaturization – using elements such as rocks and ponds to represent large-scale landscapes.
Altered perspective – using techniques to make spaces appear larger than they really are.
Miegakure (hide-and-reveal) – arranging the garden in such a way that not everything can be seen at once.
Shakkei (borrowed scenery) – incorporating mountains and buildings outside of the garden into the garden design.
Asymmetry – creating compositions where no single element is dominant and focal points are off-center.
Balance between structural stability and dynamism – creating a balance between stability and a type of dynamism in which the eye is enticed to trace an interesting route as it moves from one element to another.
The understanding that a garden is a work of art – a garden is an interpretation of nature and should appear to be natural but not wild.
Creating a garden that is beautiful in all seasons of the year.

Japanese gardening is a complex and nuanced art form that requires a deep understanding of natural landscapes, artistic composition, and cultural traditions. The use of miniaturization, altered perspective, miegakure, shakkei, and asymmetry are just a few of the techniques employed by Japanese garden designers to create stunning and harmonious compositions.

The concept of miniaturization, for example, involves the use of rocks, ponds, and other elements to represent larger landscapes in a reduced and compact form. This allows garden designers to create intricate and detailed compositions that would be impossible to achieve on a larger scale. Similarly, the use of altered perspective creates the illusion of depth and distance, drawing the viewer into the garden and creating a sense of immersion.

Miegakure, or hide-and-reveal, is another technique used to create interest and intrigue in the garden. By strategically placing elements such as vegetation, fences, and structures, designers can create a sense of mystery and anticipation, enticing the viewer to explore further.

Shakkei, or borrowed scenery, involves incorporating elements from the surrounding landscape into the garden composition. This technique allows designers to create a sense of continuity and harmony between the garden and its surroundings, blurring the boundaries between nature and art.

Asymmetry is another key principle of Japanese gardening, emphasizing balance and harmony between elements rather than rigid symmetry. By arranging elements in a triangular composition and creating a sense of movement and flow, designers can create a dynamic and visually engaging composition.

Ultimately, the goal of Japanese gardening is to create a work of art that is beautiful and harmonious in all seasons of the year. By drawing on a deep understanding of natural landscapes and artistic composition, designers are able to create stunning and intricate compositions that reflect the beauty and complexity of the natural world.

Basic Themes of Japanese Gardening

The basic themes of Japanese gardening are:

Mount Sumeru/Mount Hōrai – symbolized by a large rock, sometimes placed on an islet.
Tortoise and crane – represented by a pair of basic elements such as rocks, islets, or trees, symbolizing longevity with the crane always being the higher of the two elements.
Natural landmarks – incorporating natural landmarks such as Mount Fuji into the garden design.
Famous landscape scenes – incorporating famous landscape scenes in China or Japan into the garden design.

Many traditional Japanese gardens incorporate various themes and symbols that reflect cultural and spiritual beliefs. One of the most common themes is the use of rocks, islets, and trees to represent the tortoise and crane, which symbolize longevity and good fortune in Japanese culture.

Additionally, gardens may feature a large rock or boulder, often placed on an islet, to symbolize Mount Sumeru in Buddhism or Mount Hōrai in Taoism. These mountains are believed to be the dwelling places of immortals and are associated with spiritual transcendence and enlightenment.

Japanese gardens may also incorporate natural landmarks or famous landscape scenes, such as Mount Fuji or scenes from Chinese or Japanese mythology. These elements help to create a sense of tranquility and harmony with nature, which is a central concept in Japanese garden design.

Manuals of Japanese Gardening

The history of Japanese landscape gardening is rich and well-documented, with numerous manuals and texts detailing the principles and techniques of this art form. These manuals offer valuable insights into the evolution of Japanese gardening practices over time, as well as the cultural and artistic traditions that underpin this art form.

Sakuteiki (Notes on Garden Making): Written in the middle of the Heian Period (794–1185), this manual attempted to adapt Chinese gardening principles to Japanese conditions and tastes. It is considered one of the earliest and most influential texts on Japanese gardening.
Senzui Narabi ni Yagyō no Zu (Illustrations for Designing Mountain, Water and Hillside Field Landscapes): This manual was written in the fifteenth century and provided detailed guidance on the design and construction of Japanese gardens. It emphasized the use of natural materials and the importance of creating a harmonious relationship between the garden and the surrounding landscape.
Tsukiyama Teizōden (Building Mountains and Making Gardens): This manual was first published in the eighteenth century and provides detailed guidance on the design and construction of Japanese gardens, including the use of natural materials, the principles of composition, and the cultivation of plants and trees. It remains a valuable resource for anyone interested in Japanese gardening today.

The Sakuteiki, written in the middle of the Heian Period, is considered one of the earliest and most influential texts on Japanese gardening. This manual attempted to adapt Chinese gardening principles to Japanese conditions and tastes, emphasizing the use of natural materials and the importance of creating a harmonious relationship between the garden and the surrounding landscape.

Later manuals such as the Senzui Narabi ni Yagyō no Zu and Tsukiyama Teizōden built on the principles outlined in the Sakuteiki, offering more detailed guidance on the use of rocks, water features, and other elements to create harmonious and visually stunning compositions. These manuals also placed a greater emphasis on asymmetry and the use of borrowed scenery, reflecting changes in aesthetic taste and cultural values over time.

Today, these manuals continue to be studied by scholars and practitioners of Japanese gardening, offering valuable insights into the history and evolution of this art form. By studying these texts, designers and enthusiasts can gain a deeper appreciation for the principles and techniques that underpin this unique and beautiful art form, and draw inspiration from the rich cultural and artistic traditions that have shaped it over time.