Nihon Teien 日本庭園 (Japanese Garden)

“Japanese gardens”  【日本庭園/にほんていえん】is one of the beautiful sight in Japan.
There are some styles of “Japanese garden”

“Japanese gardens” are developed independently by receiving Chinese thought and culture.Despite, Western cultures pursue the geometrical and symmetrical beauty, Japanese gardens pursue the simple and unspoiled natural beauty.

And the features of “Japanese gardens” are using natural stones and trees, which represent miniaturization.

There are two big themes of miniaturization.

One is religious things, like “Pure land” and “Zen mind”.
And the other is scenic spots both at home and abroad, like “Mt.Fuji” and “Lushan”.

“Japanese gardens” are divided into three style.
One is “Artificial hill-style garden”.
This is sited ponds, streams, hills, stones, flowers, paths and so on.

Picure: “Ginkaku-ji” at Kyoto

Second is “Dry landscape garden”.
This is represent “Zen spiritualism” and use for Zen training.
Rock representing a mountain or a boat, and large boulder representing a waterfall.
Abstract expression and symbolism are the features of “Dry landscape garden”.

Picture: “Tofukuji-houjyou” at Kyoto

Third one is “Tea house garden”.
This is the garden which adjacent to a ceremonial teahouse and it represent aesthetic simplicity.
There are sited stepping stones and stone lanterns guides to teahouse, and stone basin which guests purifies their hands.

Picture: “Seikeien” at Saitama