An Attempt at Describing a Japanese Garden
I'm no authority on Japanese gardens, but the following is my best effort at describing what makes a Japanese landscape garden. Three primary factors played a major role in the design of many of the gardens found throughout Japan: Shinto, Buddhism, and the love of nature by the Japanese. Shinto, which dates from the dawn of civilization in Japan is interwoven in Japanese thought processes, indigenous beliefs, rituals to spirits, and daily practices. The Shinto spirits are called kami. At Shinto shrines a sanctified place where kami dwell is set aside. These sacred places which were very simply landscaped are the precusor of Japanese gardens. Buddhism which was introduced into Japan in 552 has played a major role in landscape garden design.
Through the centuries Japanese gardens have served different roles at different times. During the Heian period from 785 to 1184, the Imperial Court in Kyoto lived laviously. Many large and beautiful gardens were constructed throughout Kyoto for their enjoyment. Some of the gardens in Kyoto that we see today were orginally constructed during that period. The gardens provided a place to experience nature as well as providing aesthetic pleasure. Large ponds became an integral part of the gardens. Large stone and lush greenery replaced the simply landscaped areas seen at Shinto shrines.
The Heian period was followed by the Kamakura period which extended from 1185 to 1392. It was during this period that the influence of Buddhism on gardens came to the forefront. While all of the sects of Buddhism introduced into Japan had an impact on Japan and its people, none had a greater impact than Zen Buddhism. Virtually every aspect of Japanese culture has been significantly impacted by Zen. Spiritually, philosophically, architecturally, aesthetically, and in other ways, Zen has had a profound influence on Japan. Because of Zen influence Japanese gardens changed from places to provide enjoyment for the physical senses to places for viewing and meditation.
For several centuries following the Kamakura period, garden construction was influence by Zen, but not to the extent that all the gardens constructed are only for viewing and meditation. There are viewing gardens, stroll gardens, meditation gardens, dry gardens, tea gardens, and, no doubt, other types of gardens. Perhaps the easiest to contrast with western gardens is the stroll garden. Western gardens are laid out in geometric shape and as one walks through western gardens along a straight path the opposite end of garden is usually in sight. Structures in the gardens are approached straight on, which, to the Japanese implies confrontation. Japanese gardens are perhaps even more carefully laid out because of the intent to improve on what nature has provided rather that to simply replace it. Paths are laid out diagonally and intersect structures diagonally. But paths wind and curve to permit the use of the concept of hide and reveal. When one rounds a curve, a significant view that was hidden is revealed. However, the underlying principle in garden design is that every element of a Japanese garden is significant. A casual observer misses much. The overall garden usually represents a larger landscape in miniature. Ponds may represent lakes or oceans, lanterns may represent a temple, stones may represent mountains or be used to form mountain streams, and distant mountains may be used as borrowed scenery to effectively increase the size of the garden.
Japanese gardens are places of tranquility where man and nature are allowed to be as one. The aesthetic qualities are evident even to the most casual observer, but the gardens provide reflective qualities as well to those who are more than casual observers.