Art of the Japanese Garden: History / Culture / Design

by David Young, Michiko Young, Tan Hong Yew (Illustrator)

Overview

**Winner of the 2006 American Horticultural Society Book Award**

The Art of the Japanese Garden is the only historical overview of Japanese gardens that covers Japanese gardening culture in one beautiful book.

Japanese gardens are rooted in two traditions: an indigenous prehistoric tradition in which patches of graveled forest or pebbled beach were dedicated to nature spirits, and a tradition from China and Korea that included elements such as ponds, streams, waterfalls, rock compositions and a variety of vegetation. The Art of the Japanese Garden traces the development and blending of these two traditions, as well as the inclusion of new features as gardening reached new heights of sophistication on Japanese soil.

300 full-color Japanese garden illustrations and photographs highlight notable gardens in Japan, including graveled courtyards, early aristocratic gardens, esoteric and paradise gardens, Zen gardens, warrior gardens, tea gardens and stroll gardens. Also included are sections on modern trends and Japanese gardens in other countries.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781462905829
Publisher:	Tuttle Publishing
Publication date:	05/21/2019
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	176
File size:	95 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

David Young was born in the United States and spent his childhood in Sierra Leone, West Africa. After obtaining his Ph.D. from Stanford University, he taught anthropology at the University of Alberta in Canada until he retired in 1999 and moved to Japan to continue his teaching career. Together with his wife, he has conducted research on Japanese aesthetics for many years.

Michiko (Kimura) Young was born in China and raised in Japan. After graduating from Kyoto University of Foreign Studies, she moved to the United States and then to Canada, where she worked for many years in the international affairs office at the University of Alberta. She and husband David co-authored Introduction to Japanese Architecture. The Youngs now live on Gabriola Island off the west coast of Canada.

Tan Hong Yew graduated in fine arts from the Kuala Lumpur College of Art, Malaysia. He has contributed to several group exhibitions and books, including Tuttle's The Art of Japanese Architecture and Introduction to Japanese Architecture. He works as a freelance illustrator, specializing in architectural paintings.

Table of Contents

Japanese Gardens: An Overview 8

The Development of the Japanese Garden 10

Basic Elements And Principles 14

Rocks, Sand and Gravel 16

Walls, Fences and Paths 20

Ponds, Waterfalls and Bridges 24

Decorative Elements 28

Islands, Hills and Pavilions 32

Flora and Fauna 36

The Changing Seasons 42

Behind the Scenes 44

Japan's Most Notable Gardens 48

Early Graveled Courtyard Gardens 50

Ise Jingu Shrine 52

Horyuji Temple 56

Heian Style Shinden Gardens 60

Daikakuji Temple 62

Ninnaji Temple 66

Heian Shrine 70

Heian Style Buddhist Gardens 74

Sanzenin Temple 78

Byddoin Temple 82

Joruriji Temple 86

Zen Temple Gardens 88

Tenryuji Temple 92

Kinkakuji Temple 96

Ginkakuji Temple 100

Ryoanji Temple 104

Daitokuji Temple 108

Samurai Warrior Gardens 112

Nishi Honganji Temple 114

Nijo Castle 116

Tea Gardens 118

Kotoin Temple 120

Urakuen Teahouse Garden 124

Edo Period Gardens 126

Katsura Rikyu 130

Sento Gosho and Shugakuin Imperial Gardens 134

Suizenji Jojuen 138

Ritsurin Koen 142

Kenrokuen 146

Okayama Korakuen 150

Three Tokyo Stroll Gardens 154

More Recent Gardens 158

Two Meiji Era Gardens 160

Two Modern Gardens 164

Japanese Gardens Outside Japan 170

Modern Residential Gardens 174

Acknowledgments and Photo Credits 176

Editorial Reviews

"This book is so roundly written that it could, if necessary, serve as the only book one had to introduce and explain to Westerners the basic components of Japanese gardens." —The American Gardener

"A well-written and beautifully illustrated reference book intended for a broad audience. It is a great book for becoming acquainted with the topic of Japanese gardens." —Landscape Architecture

"Steve Jobs described Kyoto's Japanese gardens as 'the most sublime thing I've ever seen.' The splendid color photos that adorn every page of this book offer convincing support for that claim…However, The Art of the Japanese Garden is no mere coffee table tome. Authors David and Michiko Young delve deeply into the development of Japanese gardens over the centuries…Newcomers will find this book to be an ideal introduction and even veteran garden-goers will find it helps them approach familiar gardens with renewed enthusiasm and insight." —The Japan Times

"The text is very readable and most informative but, for me, the most delightful aspect of the book is the quality of the illustrations—both the exquisite photography and the perspective diagrams of the majority of the gardens…a superb book, highly recommended!" —Shakkei Vol. 25 No. 4. Spring 2019

"Impressively researched with high quality images, maps, illustrations and detailed layouts of Japan's notable gardens, the authors have a clear commitment to deeply contextualize the culture, history and design of Japanese gardens. The Art of the Japanese Garden is an invaluable reference for an engaged audience eager to digest this paradoxically calming, yet challenging landscape tradition." — Kyoto Journal

"Newcomers will find the wealth of insight and information offered by this book makes an ideal introduction to this fascinating art form. And even veteran garden-goers will find it helps them approach familiar gardens with renewed enthusiasm and knowledge." — Zoom Japan Magazine

"…Overall a lovely read for anyone wanting to know more about the wonderful art of the Japanese garden. You can use it as both as a reference book and a picture book." — SensibleGardening.com

"Apart from a knowledgeable text supported by a wealth of contemporary photographs and a sprinkling of archive material, the Youngs present exacting bird's-eye diagrams of garden complexes which immediately show how they function and relate to the buildings which they surround…This book, more than any other I've come across recently, inspires me to visit Japan…" —Hortus Journal

From the Publisher