-
1 1. Evocation
of the natural landscape as source of garden models. Since the earliest times
gardens were modeled after natural scenery. At the beginning of the Sakuteiki
it is written; “ Select several
places within the property according to the shape of the land and the ponds,
and create a subtle atmosphere, reflecting again and again on one’s memories of
wild nature.”[1]
The representation of natural scenery is sought in the garden in a refined and
concentrated manner, evoking an emotional response in the viewer that is
uplifting and yet calming. The garden tradition developed in an urban context
and was intended to evoke natural landscapes in close proximity to human
habitation. To this day as a garden apprentice one is told to look at the natural landscape as a source of inspiration.
2. Enclosure is an important element to the garden.
The garden space is framed by hedges, tree planting, or fences. The garden is a
space ‘beyond’ the everyday world, interconnected yet separate, hence the
boundary of a garden acts as a dividing line. The viewer’s attention is ‘held’
within the garden, so concentrating the experience. Connectivity with landscape
beyond the garden is achieved where possible by the carefully framing of a view
of landscape beyond the garden, thus incorporating a section of the landscape beyond
as an element of the garden composition, this is known as shakkei, 借景. 
- 3. Symbolism.
The use of symbolism in the garden to engage and communicate with the viewer
has been widely used for centuries. Stones and stone arrangements were
designated as representing a plethora of deities in temple gardens; in secular
gardens a sanzon seki 三尊石arrangement
(a triad of three upright stones set close together, the central stone usually
representing Buddha Amida is taller than the two flanking stones) has been
often employed as a protective talisman). Turtle(亀石組み) and Crane(鶴亀石組み) stone arrangements feature in many
gardens; they invoke the concept of paradise due to their connection with an
ancient Chinese legend of paradise being a series of islands supported on the
backs of giant turtles, and cranes being the means by which people were
transported to the islands. The symbolism in gardens is often Buddhist in
origin, and provides another level of engagement with the garden.
- 4. Nature
as a healing force. This is a foundational notion connected with gardens, and
the also seen in that gardens have always been associated with well-being. In both secular
and religious circles nature has always been viewed as the source of all life,
and people would venture into nature to seek moral and spiritual sustenance. To Buddhists such as
"Mountains and water are the actualisation of the ancient Buddhas. Each abiding in its phenomenal expression realises completeness. Because mountains and water have been active since before the Empty Eon, they are alive at this moment. Because they have been the self since before form arose they are emancipation-realization. Because mountains are high and broad, the way of riding the clouds is always reached in the mountains; the inconceivable power of soaring in the wind comes freely in the mountains." Dōgen Zenji 1200-1253
道元禅師 1200-1253
