Creating Japanese Gardens

For the Japanese, the garden is a microcosm of the world, full of abstract symbols. Their fascinating gardening tradition has its origins in ancient philosophy & religion, & is the perfect expression of the Oriental affinity with nature. These serene & distinctive gardens, with their potent spiritual force, have inspired gardeners the world over. CREATING JAPANESE GARDENS brings this great tradition within the scope of any modern gardener through an examination of its philosophy & the meaning of its essential features, providing the knowledge & techniques for Westerners to understand & design a Japanese style garden in the true spirit of the art. The book starts by defining the essence of Japanese garden design, with an analysis of the main styles & the various effects that Japanese gardeners have striven to achieve over the ages. Space & illusion, the need for aesthetic & spiritual unity, composition & balance, the borrowing of scenery, the use of symbolism: all contribute to the sense of harmony unique to Japanese gardens. CREATING JAPANESE GARDENS is a unique combination of practical & aesthetic reference for those who seek a new dimension in garden style.Philip Cave is the author of 'Creating Japanese Gardens', published 1993 under ISBN 9780804818384 and ISBN 080481838X.