Japanese Gardens

No garden lover can fail to be fascinated by the gardens of Japan, so different from anything in the European tradition. The Japanese gardening ideal is not an arrangement of flowers and plants, formal or informal, but the creation of a miniature landscape in which the designer’s view of nature is expressed in a small space and on a small scale. Art is hidden by art. Trees and bushes, rocks and ponds, little singing streams winding round tiny islands: all these refresh the spirit with their gentle naturalness, but they have all been carefully positioned by the landscape garden designer. Often a tea pavilion is a graceful part of the scene, and here the ancient Japanese tea ceremony may still be held. Traditionally, to view the moon from a tea pavilion will bring you a sense of peace and well-being, or even the ability to write poetry. Japanese gardens are full of ancient tradition and symbolic meaning, and many date back as far as AD 600. Streams run from east to west because east is the source of purity and west of impurity. Turtles symbolize long life, so a turtle-shaped rock is always popular. A pine tree twisted in the shape of a crane, a bird that mates for life, represents good luck and lasting companionship. The golden chrysanthemum, sacred symbol of the Imperial family, is cultivated in many shades and forms. The delicate blossom of the cherry tree symbolizes the speed with which life fades, while the cherry fruit stands for loyalty. And a cherry blossom party in the spring is a very lively occasion.