Japanese zen garden ideas how to#
Japanese zen garden ideas pro#
Japanese zen garden ideas windows#

They’re used to emphasise the passage from one space into the next, and are rarely used as a barrier to keep people out. This isn’t a philosophy – “mon” is simply the Japanese word for gate! Gates and thresholds play a big part in Japanese design, both for buildings and gardens. If you can blur the barrier between your garden and the scenery you’re borrowing, your space will immediately seem bigger. Borrowed Scenery – Shakkei (借景)īorrowing scenery means making use of features that are actually outside of your garden – like nearby fields, or a neighbour’s tree. There is never a singular focal point and, instead, the elements are harmoniously brought together in a way that contrasts their features.įor example, vertical-standing fences or rocks might be positioned alongside low hedges or stepping stones.

In contrast to French and Italian garden design, you won’t find symmetry in Japanese gardens. Asymmetry and Irregularity – Fukinsei (不均斉) In your garden, make sure to leave open space around each feature so that it can be properly 4. Ma creates harmony and balance, and emphasises the specific things that have been included. You’ll find ma in Japanese paintings, ikebana (flower arranging) and, of course, gardens. “Ma” negative space that’s been deliberately left empty. There is also a lot of symbolism used in Japanese gardens, so we’ll look at some examples of that too. To emulate Japanese garden design in your own home, it’s helpful to understand at least some of the guiding philosophies followed in Japan.

Japanese zen garden ideas windows#

Even when you’re not actually in your garden, the view from garden-facing doorways and windows should be beautifully framed. So, as you plan your garden layout, keep in mind that you’re creating a piece of art. The main objective is to emphasise the beauty of nature, even in small gardens, through careful landscaping choices and precise arrangements. In Japan, growing a traditional garden is considered one of the highest forms of art. Japanese Landscaping: Planning Your Layout If you want your own garden to be an escape from normality, and to be a place where you can find peace, you will really find a lot of ideas to make a Japanese inspired garden. The plants and trees in gardens, parks and even along forest walkways have been very deliberately chosen for their seasonal colours, so that visitors have a stunning view whenever they walk through. The colours, and the shapes – and the way they interact with the buildings and people to set a mood – are fascinating because they’re unlike anything at home.įinally: the scenery is beautiful in Japan because the Japanese are experts in subtly curating nature to help it really reach another level. Secondly: it’s so different from the scenery in the UK that it can’t help but have an impact. From the beautiful lakes to the iconic peak of Mount Fuji, nature is really doing some of its best work in Japan. The Japanese landscape is seriously stunning for several reasons. The idea would be to look directly onto the garden and take in the sights, scents and sounds.Photo by David Emrich Why is Japanese Scenery So Beautiful?

To add authenticity to a more visual garden, you could imagine it will be viewed in its entirety from the house or a timber teahouse, which is raised slightly above the ground. 'Think about what you are looking for: an experience through the garden, which would involve a carefully directive path, or a garden to be looked at, perhaps through a framed view?' advises garden expert Sophie Walker.

Japanese zen garden ideas how to#

'In other words, with the principles of Japanese garden making in mind, anything is possible.' How to start your Japanese garden designīefore rushing straight into your garden design, do some research and a consider what you want from your space. Sophie explains that she saw one Japanese garden just 'two foot deep running along the window ledge of the first floor of a building in central Kyoto.

Japanese zen garden ideas pro#

Below, we explain how to create your own garden at home with Japanese garden ideas and helpful advice from pro Sophie Walker.īut don't worry if you don't have a lot of outdoor space, Japanese gardens can be any size as long as you keep the main concepts in mind.