Japanese Garden Design History

Are you drawn to the peacefulness of Japanese garden design? Do you long to recreate that Zen feeling at your home? I know that I long to connect with nature in a way that speaks to me, personally.

Maybe you find that hectic schedules and the plastic world that we live in urges you to find that sanctuary, too. Japanese garden design restrains the touch of people -- guiding nature to speak to us on a spiritual level.

History

The Japanese garden is steeped in history and religion. In early records, the Japanese would clear natural areas and create spaces that would observe or invite the divine. This was the early beginnings of gardening in Japan.

If you are a person of prayer, do you find yourself returning to the same place over and over again? In Japan today, you can still find sacred stones or other areas that are roped off to show that they are considered holy and should be treated with reverence.

Later on, Buddhism was brought over from the mainland. Both China and Korea were creating gardens at the time. The combination of Buddhism and decorative gardens culminated in Japanese gardens that oft-times held symbols of the Buddhist paradise. Do not be put off if you are not Buddhist. Create a garden that speaks to you.

Tea, like Buddhism, is not native to Japan. Tea was brought to the island in the 9th century by a Buddhist priest who had seen it being used to aid in meditation.

The tea garden, with it's stone lanterns and tea rooms, is a place specifically created for the tea ceremony. The tea ceremony developed over many centuries in Japan, but the foundations for the modern tea ceremony solidified in the 16th century.

It was during this time that Sen-no Rikkyu, a Buddhist priest, developed the simple tea ceremony. He used it to treasure a meeting between people. This tea ceremony was held in a small tea room in a garden. This is definitely a step in a different direction. Instead of a gazebo - think tea room!

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