The Japanese Zen Garden

History

The Japanese Zen Garden is the ultimate achievement in simplicity of design. The Zen garden contrives to display the balance of nature and creates a setting of absolute peace and tranquility. The earliest source of Japanese garden design consisted of simple clearings covered with sand and edged with rope in the forest. They were a testament to the ancient religion of Shintoism. The sacred shrines were designed to lure the divine spirits to come to earth and bless the crops.

The art of gardening came to Japan from China in the 7th century AD. The Japanese garden adopted many of the elements and style of the Chinese garden design. However, the Japanese garden styles became a much more simplistic form and less elaborate than the Chinese style.

It was the Japanese Samurai warriors who perfected the Japanese style of the Zen garden. The samurai were followers of Zen Buddhism, which believed the path to enlightenment was achieved through a humble, austere and simple way of life. Zen priests were highly skilled in the art of gardening and so developed a style that demonstrated the humility of their existence and emphasized the power of nature.

As in the Chinese philosophy, the principles of two complimentary forces yin and yang are essential in the Japanese Zen garden. Each element in the Zen garden represents yin or yang. For example water is yin and land is yang. The challenge for the creator of a Zen garden is to create a perfect balance of yin and yang.

Components of the Zen Garden

There are five main elements of a classic Zen garden; stone, sand or gravel, water, plants and space. They may not all be present but the garden must contain the balance of yin and yang.

Stones are a very important component of the Zen garden. Stones are a solid yang element and require specific rules to their size, shape and placement. Rocks represent islands and mountains. Their size and age are important because this defines the character of a stone. Age and character are qualities revered in Japanese culture. Vertical and horizontal stones are utilized in the design. Placement is never random and a careful combination of 3 or 5 stones make up a composition. A statue stone, which is a vertical stone with a bulge in its centre, can be used alone.

Sand or gravel represents water in a dry garden. The sand or gravel is raked to imitate the wave patterns in water and represents the yin element. Gravel is used more often than sand because it is less likely to blow away. Gravel is usually white or pale gray and fairly smooth. White gravel represents yin while darker gravel is yang. It is therefore important to the balance of the garden which colour is used.

Plants are used sparingly and strictly for aesthetic purposes in the design. Pine trees are popular because of their low maintenance and they are easy to train. They are often trained to appear wind blown. One of the principles of the Zen garden is permanence, so conifers such as pine trees fit into this requirement. Moss is also widely used and grows well in the humid climate of Japan. Although deciduous, Japanese maples are used to represent the cycle of life. Bamboo is a part of Zen gardens but is used carefully because of its invasive habit.

Originally water was used as a means of purification in the ancient Shinto shrines. Japan is a country made up of islands and because of this there is a genuine respect for water. Water is always used in natural shapes and its movement is essential to provide positive energy. Waterfalls are often a part of the Zen garden. Rain is a welcomed element not only for irrigation but also for design purposes. The raindrops add a touch of yin water to the yang stones and create the perfect balance.

Open space is essential in order for the spirit of nature to flow freely. A cluttered space restricts the movement of the natural energy of nature. This can be achieved by simply pruning a branch in order to open up a view. Space also aids in meditation. The clearer the space the clearer the mind for reflection and meditation. The simplicity of design in the Zen garden is an art unto itself. Every component large or small is utilized to create a space meant for quiet contemplation. Even the raking of the gravel becomes a form of meditation.