Photo by Janis Nicolay
Elements of a Japanese Garden
What makes a Japanese garden unique? Find out how you can incorporate these elements into your own garden for an escape into serenity
Anyone who has seen an authentic Japanese garden can only marvel at its melding of wood, stone, plants and water. Designed to express and distill the essence of nature, Japanese garden styles include pond gardens, zen gardens, stroll gardens and tea gardens (roji). Intended to prepare guests for the tea ceremony, tea gardens traditionally have an outer garden and an inner one, leading to the tea house.
In the Japanese garden, everything has special significance. Stones may represent actual beings or mountains. Lanterns are often placed beside a pond, signifying the female and male elements of water and fire. Striking an elegant balance of opposites is key: light and dark colours; smooth and rough textures; sound and silence.
Everything is designed to create “the journey”—a sense of passage from one place to another—and to inspire serenity. While few of us can have a truly authentic Japanese garden, careful use of the elements can imbue our spaces with its beauty and tranquil spirit.
**Seen as a sanctuary from the stress of everyday life, a Japanese garden has some or all of these elements:**
* Water (Real or symbolic)
* Rocks
* An island
* Bridge or stepping stones to the island
* Tea house or pavilion
* Wall
* "Borrowed" landscape from beyond the garden (*shakkai*)
* Limited plant palette
* Fish, especially koi
* Odd numbers
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