Japanese Gardens

By Olivia

What are Japanese Gardens?

• Japanese Gardens are very important to the Japanese.

• They are representations of nature that can be done in many different styles.

• The purpose of these gardens are to capture nature in a natural way, and do it with an artistic touch.

History

• Japanese gardens were influenced by Shinto, Buddhist and Taoist ways of life.

• They made a spiritual sense to the gardens.

• The garden creates a quiet place, allowing people to look back and reflect upon themselves, or meditate.

Elements of the Japanese Gardens

All elements in Japanese Gardens are there for a reason.

• Stone Lantern: Originally they were used as a source of light, but now they are there used for decoration. Some lanterns are as high as 18 feet high and are called “pagodas”.

• Lion sculpture: The lion is placed at the entrance of the garden in order to protect the garden from intruders.

• Water Basin (deer chaser): It has a hollow bamboo stick that, when it fills up, hits the basin making a sound that supposedly chases deer away to keep them from drinking the water.

• Japanese Bridge: These bridges are built to connect two islands with an artistic feeling showing very delicate workmanship.

• Fish: The fish in Japanese gardens are called koi. They are in the ponds of the Japanese Gardens as a decorative element.

The End

Sources:“Japanese Gardens” – Pacific UniversityURL: http://mcel.pacificu.edu/as/students/chee/garden.html