Have you ever heard of the Japanese Zen garden? This is a very special and unique type of Japanese garden. The Japanese Zen Garden doesn’t have many plants, flowers, or ponds, but only rocks, sand, moss, and shrubs. However, behind these dry gardens are deep philosophies and humanistic meanings. Let’s explore the Japanese Zen Garden in this Blog.

What is the Karesansui Japanese Zen Garden?

The Japanese Zen Garden (Karesansui) is a type of traditional Japanese garden, bearing the imprint and thought of Zen Buddhism. The word Karesansui means “dry landscape” or “dry mountain and water”. This is a way of expressing the universe and nature with stone and sand, without using water like other garden styles.

The Karesansui Japanese Zen Garden originated in China, when Zen Buddhism was introduced to Japan in the 12th century. Buddhist monks created dry gardens to calm the mind and aid in meditation. During the Muromachi period (1336–1573), the art of the Karesansui dry garden developed into a distinct Japanese style.

Features of the Japanese Zen Garden

Space

Japanese Zen gardens are usually small, surrounded by walls or structures. The garden is designed so that it can be viewed from a single point of view, usually from the balcony or living room of a temple or monastery.

The garden uses visual tactics to create a sense of larger-than-reality, such as changing the direction or width of the path, using perspective or borrowing scenery (Shakkei).

Water

Karesansui Japanese Zen gardens do not have water like other Japanese garden designs but use sand or gravel to simulate water waves or other images related to water. Sand or gravel is scratched to create different patterns and shapes, symbolizing the movement and change of nature and water.

Sound

Not only relying on sight, a Japanese Zen garden also uses sound to create a peaceful and meditative atmosphere. The sound can be the sound of the wind blowing through the shrubs, the singing of birds or the sound of temple bells.

Scenery

Instead of creating a separate space, the Japanese Zen garden also connects with the surrounding landscape to create a panorama. The landscape can be a mountain, a forest, or the sky. In Japan, many houses also design garden landscape in the form of Karesansui dry gardens to increase aesthetics.

Japanese-style Zen gardens

Japan has many beautiful and famous dry gardens that attract millions of visitors every year. Here are some dry gardens you should not miss when traveling to Japan.

Ryoanji Temple Rock Garden

Ryoanji Temple is the most representative dry garden in Japan and the world. With 15 rocks set on a 248 square meter sea of pebbles, this garden creates a mystery and a meditation for the viewer. The meaning of these rocks is unknown, but one popular explanation is that they symbolize islands in the great sea.

Daisen-in Dry Garden

Daisen-in is the garden of Daitokuji Temple, a large temple in Kyoto. Daisen-in Garden is a dry garden, symbolizing life’s journey from birth to death. The garden has a dry stream made of gravel and rocks, flowing from a high mountain to a wide sea. The garden also has a dragon-shaped shrub and a tiger-shaped shrub, symbolizing the two elements of nature.

Zuiho-in Garden

Zuiho-in Garden is the garden of Zuiho-in Temple, a small temple in Kyoto. The Zuiho-in Garden was designed by artist Shigemori Mirei in 1961. The garden has two dry zones, each with its own meaning.

The eastern sector symbolizes human suffering using angularly shaped rocks and pebbles. The western sector symbolizes human liberation by using round shaped rocks and pebbles.

Ginkakuji Garden

Ginkakuji Garden is the garden of Ginkakuji Temple, a famous temple in Kyoto. Ginkakuji Garden has a dry area called Ginshadan, which symbolizes the sea. Ginshadan has a 2-meter-high conical pile of sand, symbolizing Mount Fuji. The garden also has a verdant area with many shrubs and flowers.

Tofukuji Garden

Tofukuji Garden is the garden of Tofukuji Temple, a large temple in Kyoto. Tofukuji Garden was designed by artist Mirei Shigemori in 1939. The garden has four dry zones, each with its own style and meaning. For example, the eastern sector symbolizes the harmony between nature and people by using rocks and shrubs.

Adachi Garden

Adachi Garden is a private garden in Shimane Prefecture. Adachi Garden was built by Adachi Zenko in 1970. The garden has six dry zones, each with its own theme and landscape. For example, the Kikaku-no-niwa area symbolizes purity of mind using rocks and pebbles.

Summary

So in this blog, we introduce to you Karesansui Garden – Japanese Zen garden art. This is a very unique type of garden with deep humanity. Experiencing the Karesansui garden will help you gain serenity and enlightenment in your mind. You can find beautiful and famous Karesansui gardens in Japan or Vietnam to enjoy their beauty.

Contact us for advice on garden design that suits your family’s wishes.

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