Creating Your Own Japanese Garden

This book offers detailed step-by-step advice on how to design and construct Japanese gardens in various environments, using only materials widely available in the West.

"The author discusses the function of cedar and bamboo fences, safety rails, retaining walls, gates, and tile roofs. In a chapter on rocks, boulders, and stones, he writes about their uses in bridges, walkways, and paths. Water is a large part of Japanese gardens, and Gustafson focuses on...ponds, waterfalls, and streams."--"Booklist."

In this book, renowned garden designer Motomi Oguchi offers the reader a step-by-step, practical approach to creating Japanese gardens, drawn from a wealth of experience that covers thirty years and encompasses the design of more than 400 gardens. The author uses real examples from gardens he has designed, constructed, and photographed to illustrate his key points, approaching each work from the perspective of the home or building owner. Oguchi begins with front gardens, as these are usually what one encounters first when entering a home. Typically, these front plantings are not defined Japanese garden types but rather, physical areas. He then moves on to tsubo niwa (courtyard gardens) and kare sansui (dry gardens) that might be found in the middle or rear of a building, or any available small space. Next, he introduces tea and tree gardens, which are more likely to be sections of a larger garden; and highlights specific characteristics and conditions of interior gardens. Within each chapter are general layouts and methods of developing the various gardens, which precede specific, step-by-step instructions. The author also offers practical and affordable variations on more ambitious designs and shows how they can be adapted to the readers home or building. In addition, Oguchi emphasizes the importance of proper maintenance and offers suggestions for special touches and restoration.

Getting started -- Designing a Japanese garden -- Elements of Japanese gardens -- Plants for Japanese gardens.

Learn how to create a tranquil outdoor space at home with this practical and inspiring guide! With instructive drawings and step-by-step techniques, Inside Your Japanese Garden walks you through designing and creating your very own Japanese garden. From small projects like benches and gates, to larger undertakings like bridges and mud walls, this book provides a wide variety of ways to enhance the space around your home, no matter the size. Instructions on how to work with stone, mud and bamboo--as well as a catalogue of the 94 plant varieties used in the gardens shown in the book--round out this complete guide. This book also features 20 gardens that author Sadao Yasumoro has designed and built in Japan, and some--like those at Visvim shop in Tokyo and at Yushima Tenjin in Tokyo--are open to the public. From small tsuboniwa courtyard gardens to a large backyard stroll garden with water features, stairs and walls, these real-life inspirations will help spark your own garden plan. These inspirational garden projects include: Tea Garden for an Urban Farmhouse featuring a clay wall with a split-bamboo frame and a stone base The Landslide That Became a Garden with a terraced slope, trees, bushes, long grasses and moss A Buddha's Mountain Retreat of Moss and Stone with vertical-split bamboo and brushwood fencing Paradise in an Urban Jungle with a pond, Japanese-style bridge, and stone lanterns Each garden is beautifully photographed by Hironori Tomino and many have diagrams and drawings to show the essential elements used in the planning and construction.

From the Publisher: Covering the basic principles, aesthetics, and design practices of Japanese gardens, this book provides the practical information gardeners need to adapt these ideals to North American landscapes and sensibilities. Not a step-by-step construction manual, it teaches the fundamental principles of integrating house, garden, and landscape by making art from simple groupings of rocks, plants, and water and opening Japanese symbolism to elements with universal significance, such as water and paths. Included is an extensive encyclopedia of appropriate plants to use based on creating and defining particular eco-regions.

This book is not just a manual; it is a gateway for novices to discover the essence of Japanese garden aesthetics, offering a comprehensive exploration of ideas, practical tips, essential tools, and a curated selection of plants. As you turn the pages, you will be immersed in the rich tapestry of Japanese garden philosophy, learning how simplicity and balance converge to create harmonious outdoor sanctuaries. From the fundamental principles of design to the hands-on tools that bring visions to life, this guide serves as a companion for those stepping into the world of Japanese gardening for the first time. Whether you are drawn to the meditative Zen gardens or the vibrant hues of a stroll garden, this book unfolds a roadmap for transforming your outdoor space. Cultivate your green thumb with confidence, as you delve into the nuanced artistry of plant selection and arrangement. Uncover the secrets of moss-covered stones, gracefully pruned trees, and the rhythmic flow of water features that define these timeless landscapes. This is more than a guide; it is an invitation to embrace the beauty and serenity that nature can bestow upon your surroundings. Let the wisdom shared within these pages inspire you to embark on your own journey of creating a Japanese garden – a sanctuary where simplicity meets sophistication, and tranquility blossoms with each carefully chosen plant and stone.

A guide to creating Japanese gardens, from design and planning to finished garden.