Japanese style in landscape design coloring book. Japanese garden at the dacha. A corner of Japan in your garden

Japanese gardens fascinate at first sight. Filled with harmony, using silhouettes and textures as well as zoning, they radiate peace and tranquility, but are never boring. It is not surprising that idyllic Japanese landscapes inspire many to create, if not the entire garden, then at least a separate zone and corner in the Japanese style of landscape design. But if it is quite simple to repeat the motives, then it is not always possible to recreate the same atmosphere and the same illusion of perfection.

Differences in climatic conditions and a limited selection of “authentic” plants inevitably affect the design. But in the Japanese style, the main thing is not precision, but mood, harmony and tranquility. And it is these that you need to focus on when creating your own corner for reflection and meditation or relaxation in the Japanese style. And professional tricks will help you achieve your goal without much effort.

boriskhol

As with any narrowly focused style of landscape design, the Japanese garden has its own strict criteria for arrangement and design, from which it is undesirable to deviate. The special, unique atmosphere of such a garden is created, first of all, by a limited, narrowly defined toolkit: materials, plants, permissible combinations and silhouettes in the Japanese style are strictly specified. And typical motifs, or “plots” for the garden, are transformed from simple samples into design rules.

Creating even a small meditation corner while maintaining the authentic Japanese style atmosphere is not easy. After all, this is not a landscape design trend in which one can only imitate: “fakes,” imitations and superficial attitudes are immediately recognizable. Even the slightest deviations from the philosophical foundations of the Japanese garden can lead to a loss of special mood and harmony.

The task of creating a Japanese garden seems especially difficult where winters are harsh and plants typical of Japan itself simply do not grow. But if magnolias or tropical exotics do not live in your garden, this does not mean that you cannot recreate a corner of Japan on your site. The main thing is to correctly approach the selection of plants based on their picturesqueness, watercolors, beauty of silhouettes and color palette. With materials, everything is much simpler: you can create beautiful objects from local stones.

This style has both its canons and its secrets. Let’s take a closer look at the 12 main “secrets” of the Japanese garden, which will help you avoid mistakes in decorating a Japanese-style corner on your own site.


Secret 1. Be inspired by nature

The Japanese garden glorifies the harmony of nature and its beauty. And the design of the garden always includes natural landscapes. When looking for inspiration for arranging a Japanese-style corner for your garden, turn to the natural landscapes of this distant and such a beautiful country. Hilly terrain, natural combinations of dome-shaped, picturesque silhouettes of bushes and trees with water bodies, stones and moss - these are the “basics” from which you should start in your search for ideas.

The characteristic features of the Japanese style are determined by the relationship of plants, stones, water and moss. And you must use each of these elements in such a way as to create the illusion of natural beauty and authenticity. The stones should “grow” into the ground,” the bushes should sparkle against the backdrop of large boulders. And if you remember their symbiosis and try to repeat the motifs inherent in Japanese nature, you will never go wrong. Create miniature landscapes, inspired either by the beauty of ponds or mountain landscapes, and notice the relationship between silhouettes, shapes and sizes.

Secret 2. No continuous flowering

If you want to achieve authenticity in the design of Japanese corners, then first of all forget about the most fashionable and almost mandatory principle of landscaping - the flowering relay race, thanks to which there is not even a day in the gardens when at least one plant is not blooming, every season is the same beautiful and lush. In a Japanese garden, the opposite is true: you must emphasize the beauty of each season and its character, clearly dividing the stages of flowering and the changing appearance of the landscape according to the time of year.

The main flowering season should be in spring. Magnolias, azaleas, peonies - these are the main stars of a colorful garden filled with color spots. In the summer, only water lilies and rare individual accents should bloom in a Japanese garden: the peace and tranquility of the green color, presented in all its diversity, has a stronger impact in this hot season than any abundantly blooming accents. The second “explosion” of color, and perhaps the most unforgettable, should be planned for the fall: when the leaves of the plants with the incomparable silhouettes of the bushes are painted in bright colors, the garden will flare up with fire and crimson, and the picturesqueness inherent in it will be revealed. But you shouldn’t think that a Japanese garden can be “empty” even in winter. It is with an eye to the coldest time of the year that plants with beautiful silhouettes and bizarre shapes are so strictly selected, and stones are used so carefully. When the branches are dusted with the first snow, the Japanese garden will reveal its structural harmony.


Erika Colombo

Secret 3. Become a tree worshiper

The importance of trees in the Japanese style of landscape design cannot be overestimated. And it’s not just that tree veneration is part of the local religion. They really have a special attitude: the usual structuring role of large accents is complemented by the function of the semantic center of even a small corner and the status of the main pride of the compositions. In such a garden, the trees should look natural, just like in nature (even if this sometimes requires tireless work). Curved and bowed by time and winds, picturesque and unique in silhouette, “layered” and tiered, landscape types of trees are more appropriate here than trimmed and austere ones.

When using wood in decoration, do not forget about the typical Japanese gardens plants, the variety of species and varieties of which will allow you to find a variety and species suitable for any climate. In a corner decorated in Japanese style, the following are appropriate:

  • the most famous inhabitant of the Japanese garden is the pine tree, a symbol of growth and life, beautiful both in dwarf forms and in majestic giant forms;
  • Sakura, unique in its picturesqueness, is a Japanese decorative cherry, the flowering of which has become a symbol of Japan;
  • magnificent and variable kings of autumn maples.

Secret 4. Colored spots of flowering shrubs

Japanese style does not require planting dozens of different flowering plants. It is better to choose 1-2, but very catchy shrubs, the beauty and abundance of flowering of which will speak for themselves. Of all the flowering plants that can be used to decorate corners and areas in the Japanese style, shrubs should always be given preference. And when choosing a specific plant, it is better to focus on spring flowering and bright color: at the peak of flowering, the shrub should turn into a solid spot of color or surprise with large, unusually beautiful flowers of enormous size.

Absolute favorites of Japanese style:

  • rhododendrons of all sizes and types, the beauty of which cannot be eclipsed, and are the standard of showiness among garden shrubs;
  • tree peonies with gigantic and strikingly watercolor flowers, even the stamens of which are especially picturesque;
  • forsythia in a trimmed form, giving the landscapes grace and naturalness, captivating with the early spring scattering of dazzling yellow star flowers;
  • blooming magnolias, which even in tub form are a spectacle of extraordinary beauty;
  • picturesque, with elongated silhouettes and elegant contours of the irga, which not only blooms beautifully, but also provides shade without visually overwhelming even the smallest resting corner;
  • the picturesque Japanese pieris, whose beauty of flowering can compete with the showiness of the leaves;
  • the evergreen cherry laurel with its showy green crown, beautiful and unformed;
  • hydrangeas with their very large inflorescence caps.

If there is little space, full-fledged shrubs can always be replaced with clever vines that can easily fill a bamboo fence - for example, honeysuckle or wisteria, the flowering of which will turn into another unforgettable “touch” of the Japanese spring.

Secret 5. Don't be afraid of water

Water is as fundamental an element of Japanese style as plants and stones. It is simply impossible to imagine a Japanese garden without a picturesque pond, which gives the garden special expressiveness and charm, filling the landscapes with life and emphasizing the atmosphere of peace and tranquility. Ponds, waterfalls, streams literally breathe harmony and peace, and it is impossible not to admire the beauty of the water surface with water lily leaves floating on it, stone banks, densely overgrown with plants and shrubs framing the pond for hours.

Of course, if you decorate the entire area in the spirit of a Japanese garden, you can allow yourself to experiment with reservoirs of any type and size. But if you are arranging just one Japanese corner, especially if you are just recreating a rock garden or terrace, then water features seem impossible. But water is not only possible, but also necessary to be used even in such exceptional circumstances. Mobile ponds, mini-reservoirs, indoor and interior fountains will bring the water element anywhere. Moreover, setting up a mobile pond is more than easy; it does not require the same care and effort as a full-fledged pond. And in it you can always grow even exotic plants that are unavailable in your area - for example, the star of authentic Japanese gardens - the lotus. And if you don’t want to tinker with plants, just install stone wells or bowls and fill them with water (the original tsukubai are especially good - stone tanks for ritual washing of hands). You can also imitate water with clearings covered with gravel or sand: raking, leaving waves on the surface, imitates exactly the wavy surface of water in a rock garden.


Tony Shertila

Secret 6. Moss and ground covers in the company of selected perennials

In a Japanese garden, “green lawns” play a very important role. But traditional lawn grasses This is not the place. They need to be replaced either with moss or ground covers that are more suitable for our conditions - Waldsteinia, Acena, which look no less impressive. Japanese gardens also like to use periwinkle with its winter-green foliage. And leaf fern and pachysandra form a truly fabulous carpet, which soft transitions connects stones.

With perennials for the Japanese garden, everything is not so simple. Aquatic species irises and cereals when decorating water bodies can be used at your discretion, as long as they do not violate the integrity of the image and balance. But as a complement to stones, boulders, shrubs and trees, perennials are used literally “individually”, relying either on natural beauty, a “wild” effect, or on catchy foliage. Forget-me-nots, bergenia, hosta, fescue, primrose, and Japanese irises will fit well into a Japanese-style corner.


doyouknowjapan

Secret 7. Stone magic

Imitating nature, starting from ponds and streams in the structure of the landscape, the Japanese garden proposes to make stones an indispensable part of the design and landscaping. The main thing for the Japanese style is simplicity, naturalness of shapes and lines. For a corner in the spirit of the Land of the Rising Sun, only natural and untreated stone is used. Bizarre, unusual stones with different colors and textures should be used along with fine decorative stone soil, coarse sand and gravel. Flat stones for walking paths, river pebbles, huge boulders and a scattering of smaller stones should form the structural basis of the compositions and fill all the free space remaining from the plants. There should be at least twice as many stones in any object decorated in Japanese style as there are plants.

And remember the symbolic content of the compositions, turning all the stone elements into something more. Large boulders are a symbol of rocks, medium stones dug into the ground are islands washed by water. And the surface covered with gravel or stone chips imitates water.

Secret 8. Symbols and contrasts

In order to recreate the peace that reigns in Japanese gardens, the balance of the amazing play of richness of colors and shapes with the restrained coldness and detachment of the principles of arrangement, it is necessary to always and in everything be guided by two main principles of design - the necessity of contrasts and symbolic content. In a corner decorated in Japanese style, it is appropriate to use only those decorative elements and accessories that are symbolic in nature. And plants and stones must contrast with each other: literally every object must have its own “counterweight”.


Secret 9. Floorings and mats

Stone or other coverings are not used to pave areas, decorate terraces, or create places for drinking tea or meditation in a Japanese garden. Stones and stone chips are full-fledged “participants” of landscape combinations. And for paving, they must be replaced with something practical, but contrasting in nature. wooden platform. Wooden platforms comfortable, warm, and complement both plants and stone surprisingly well. And to add authenticity, stock up on straw mats and reed mats that you can lay on wooden platforms.

Secret 10. Using small architecture

No matter how carefully you select plants, you cannot do without accents and decorative elements. Essential in recreating the authentic atmosphere of a Japanese garden, the use of at least one architectural element– and whether it is a full-fledged functional object or its imitation, sculpture or decoration does not matter. It is impossible to imagine typical landscapes of Japan without stone lanterns, pagodas or tea houses, red wooden bridges thrown across a body of water. And if in small corner the construction of full-fledged functional objects is inappropriate, then small sculptures that repeat their silhouettes, decorative bridges and pagodas will always fit into the image. The most versatile option - stone lantern, which is appropriate near the terrace, in the rock garden, and near the pond.


Secret 11. Bamboo is good in any form

It is almost as impossible to imagine Japanese-style decoration without bamboo as it is without stones. Aggressive, but such a beautiful bamboo growing in the garden is still a dream for the inhabitants of regions with harsh winters, although winter-hardy low species are beginning to gain greater popularity today. But bamboos growing in tubs can be used more actively, placing them not only on a terrace or recreation area, but also adding them to plants planted in the soil as accents.

But bamboo will be appropriate in your Japanese-style corner not only in its “living” form: various accessories, decor and household items made of bamboo play an equally style-forming role. A bamboo ladle, a mat, a wattle fence or fence, posts, wind chimes, bamboo stems used as support or a drain - there are many options. Be sure to include at least one bamboo element in the design of your corner - and you will immediately feel how much more expressive the stylistic content has become.


Mary Warren

Secret 12. Constant attention

To create a harmonious corner in the Japanese style, in which harmony and atmosphere will reign, every minute in which will seem to transport you through time and space, you need to provide tireless care to the plants and the design as a whole. Japanese style requires tireless attention. Tying and pruning, maintaining the perfect shape, clean lines and impeccable condition of stone fills and ponds, removing fading flowers and dry leaves requires a lot of work. Without which all efforts will easily be ruined by neglect.

Harmonious combination human influence and natural elements is the goal of every park complex. This harmony is most fully reflected in the traditions of the Land of the Rising Sun, which is why the Japanese-style garden has survived centuries of change and is popular even today.

Deep into history

The first written sources in which the hieroglyph “niva” (garden) is found date back to the eighth century AD. At first, this term meant a certain space, without natural or artificial fences. Later, man-made elements appeared - fences, pebbled paths, small architectural structures.


The concept of the Japanese garden is related to painting. The stunning color schemes of Heian period gardens coincided with the rise of the Yamato-e school. The appearance of Buddhist monasteries and temples occurred during the era of samurai - pomp and decorativeness gave way to laconicism and monochrome, and the era of dry landscapes began.

The combination of incongruous elements also marks the so-called tea garden - another direction of Japanese park art, which arose already in the 16th century.

Japanese garden - principles of creating style

Three pillars on which the park complexes of temples and palaces are based:

  • the indispensable combination of water and stone, symbolizing the masculine and feminine principles in Eastern philosophy;
  • naturalness of plants, stone blocks, decorative design;
  • asymmetry of the landscape with an emphasis on one or more individual details of the composition.

Additional conditions for the structure of a Japanese corner include the presence of an open area and the use of restrained, harmonious color shades.

Photo: landscape design summer cottage

Garden design styles

In modern landscape design, there are four types of Japanese-style garden design. These variations are successfully used to organize space.

  1. - a small part of a yard or house with open roof.
  2. - a site with a minimum of plants. It is not difficult to create such a site, but the decorative effect of the design will be relatively small.
  3. . This landscape complex differs from the European park tradition that is familiar to us. Characteristicmaximum use natural plants and forms, and following the seasons.
  4. – characterized by the combination of two types of green spaces with different landscapes. In the shady corners there is certainly a pavilion - wabi, in which the tea ceremony - tyanoyu - takes place.

Let's take a closer look at each of these green corners and highlight the principles of their creation.

The garden appeared during the development of urban architecture in the early Middle Ages. The name itself speaks of the miniature nature of the landscape composition - the word “tsubo” means small area, 3.3 sq. m.

Such a garden is located both in tiny areas of the yard outdoors and indoors.

Photo of a classic tsubo:


The main goal of laying out a miniature garden is to let light and nature into a limited urban space. Plantings for a green corner are selected depending on the cardinal directions. For example, in the northern part sun-loving plants are not planted, and the lack of flowers is compensated for with moss.

The tsubo territory is lined with stones, leaving a small piece of land for planting. In the center of the composition are several plants that match the style of the building. The easiest way to create such a Japanese garden at your summer cottage is to install a tsukubai lantern, make paths from “flying stones” - tobiishi, and harmoniously arrange several plants.

Thematic material:

The lack of light is compensated by lamps, lanterns or an ingenious gallery of mirrors that saturate the boring walls of a city house with bright and warm sunlight. Decorative lighting will be a small touch that completes the tsubo composition.

This is a poetic interpretation of an archaic motif - the search for islands of eternal youth and immortality. Ancient legends are reflected in the structure of the rock garden. Although landscape design does not pay enough attention to Japanese philosophy, it continues to use the age-old principles of constructing stone gardens.


For the Japanese, stone has never been a building material - only an object of worship and admiration. Echoes of the cultic attitude towards stone blocks are presented in classical methods of arranging compositions. When creating an oriental design, boulders are placed in the following ways:

  • Mount Horai is a single stone in the middle of a pond as a symbol of this distant peak.
  • Mount Sumi is a composition of three stones located in a pond or on a small hill.
  • The Three Jewels is an arrangement method based on Buddhist traditions.
  • Crane and turtle islands - repeated in the garden landscape folk tales and legends.

The Japanese attach great importance to the choice of stones. Since boulders are often used in groups, it is not the shape of the individual object that is important, but the harmony of the composition. The design of the Japanese garden welcomes interspersed ancient stones covered with mosses and lichens, with rounded outlines. According to the beliefs of the Japanese, such blocks bring peace and harmony to the house; without them it is impossible to decorate a garden in the style of the Land of the Rising Sun.

When creating a composition, they adhere to clear principles for arranging stones. The difficulty lies in the correct placement of the main boulder that crowns the entire landscape design. The remaining elements naturally frame the central stone block, creating miniature compositions symbolizing the islands or mountain ranges. A Japanese-style garden gives free rein to imagination, but at the same time dictates its own rules.

It is not customary to place stones in an ascending or descending line - the Japanese do not like artificial symmetry. River, mountain and sea stones are not combined in one composition.

To keep the boulders stable, they are dug in. To hide defects and chips, low-growing shrubs or grass are planted near the stone composition. Plants for a Japanese rock garden are chosen in wild, modest colors.

The appearance of this territory is the most familiar to the European view: open space, water flow and a lot of green spaces. Both evergreens and deciduous trees– this is how the alternation of flowering of each seedling is achieved depending on the season.

A good addition to trees are trimmed bushes of boxwood, rhododendron, cotoneaster, etc. Such plants, if necessary, hide the walls of houses, garbage containers or composting facilities (if the garden is planned to be located in the country). Conversely, decorated bush caps serve as a natural frame for the view of a river bank or an endless field.


Tree gardens play a big role in decorative elements– fences, bridges, lanterns, gates... As a rule, internal barriers are made light and airy using wooden picket fence or bamboo. But external fences are made of stones and decorated with tiles.

Part of a traditional Japanese tea ceremony. Its main purpose is to create the necessary atmosphere of peace and tranquility. Its area is not large and imitates a fragment of a mountainous area where eastern sages settled.


At the far end of the garden there is a hut for the tea ceremony - chashitsu. This is a small ascetic house, reminiscent of the home of the sages. Both the appearance and interior decoration of this building are very laconic. It is believed that this is the only way to achieve true harmony and tune in to contemplation.

The garden itself seems to prepare a person for the ceremony, being the border between the busy world and the territory of spirituality.

It is decorated in discreet style, close to natural. Plants and stones are arranged in a natural, seemingly chaotic order. The lighting should be low, barely enough to see the path.

Lanterns are an indispensable attribute of a Japanese garden; they are used both for decoration and for lighting the area. At first, decorative lamps were present only in tea gardens, but later they became the hallmark of any Japanese-style landscape design. As a rule, only one lantern made of stone is installed. Pedestal models - tachigata - brightly illuminate the surrounding area. The luminous flux of hidden lanterns - ikekomigata - is directed downwards.

Photo: the bridge serves a decorative function

Bridges in a Japanese garden do not always serve as a means of crossing to the other side; rather, they are used as another design element. Unlike Chinese or European designs, the Japanese bridge is flat, sometimes not intended for walking at all. The Yatsuhashi bridge is extremely decorative, composed of eight elements - stones or wide boards.

The parts of the structure are laid in a zigzag pattern, so walking along it can be difficult. Such bridges fit well into a landscape park and are installed above artificial ponds, depressions with wet soil or directly above the lawn.


Japanese gardens can tell a lot about the character of the inhabitants of the Land of the Rising Sun. And for Europeans it is a magnificent combination of light, greenery, stone and water, a kind of door to understanding the culture and traditions of the East.

Video: miniature Japan on site

A harmonious combination of human influence and natural elements is the goal of every park complex. This harmony is most fully reflected in the traditions of the Land of the Rising Sun, which is why the Japanese-style garden has survived centuries of change and is popular even today.

Deep into history

The first written sources in which the hieroglyph “niva” (garden) is found date back to the eighth century AD. At first, this term meant a certain space, without natural or artificial fences. Later, man-made elements appeared - fences, pebbled paths, small architectural structures.


The concept of the Japanese garden is related to painting. The stunning color schemes of Heian period gardens coincided with the rise of the Yamato-e school. The appearance of Buddhist monasteries and temples occurred during the era of samurai - pomp and decorativeness gave way to laconicism and monochrome, and the era of dry landscapes began.

The combination of incongruous elements also marks the so-called tea garden - another direction of Japanese park art, which arose already in the 16th century.

Japanese garden - principles of creating style

Three pillars on which the park complexes of temples and palaces are based:

  • the indispensable combination of water and stone, symbolizing the masculine and feminine principles in Eastern philosophy;
  • naturalness of plants, stone blocks, decorative design;
  • asymmetry of the landscape with an emphasis on one or more individual details of the composition.

Additional conditions for the structure of a Japanese corner include the presence of an open area and the use of restrained, harmonious color shades.

Photo: landscape design of a summer cottage

Garden design styles

In modern landscape design, there are four types of Japanese-style garden design. These variations are successfully used to organize space.

  1. - a small part of a yard or house with an open roof.
  2. - a site with a minimum of plants. It is not difficult to create such a site, but the decorative effect of the design will be relatively small.
  3. . This landscape complex differs from the European park tradition that is familiar to us. A characteristic feature is the maximum use of natural plants and forms, as well as adherence to the seasons.
  4. – characterized by the combination of two types of green spaces with different landscapes. In the shady corners there is certainly a pavilion - wabi, in which the tea ceremony - tyanoyu - takes place.

Let's take a closer look at each of these green corners and highlight the principles of their creation.

The garden appeared during the development of urban architecture in the early Middle Ages. The name itself speaks of the miniature nature of the landscape composition - the word “tsubo” means a small area, 3.3 square meters. m.

Such a garden is located both in tiny areas of the yard outdoors and indoors.

Photo of a classic tsubo:


The main goal of laying out a miniature garden is to let light and nature into a limited urban space. Plantings for a green corner are selected depending on the cardinal directions. For example, in the northern part sun-loving plants are not planted, and the lack of flowers is compensated for with moss.

The tsubo territory is lined with stones, leaving a small piece of land for planting. In the center of the composition are several plants that match the style of the building. The easiest way to create such a Japanese garden at your summer cottage is to install a tsukubai lantern, make paths from “flying stones” - tobiishi, and harmoniously arrange several plants.

Thematic material:

The lack of light is compensated by lamps, lanterns or an ingenious gallery of mirrors that saturate the boring walls of a city house with bright and warm sunlight. Decorative lighting will be a small touch that completes the tsubo composition.

This is a poetic interpretation of an archaic motif - the search for islands of eternal youth and immortality. Ancient legends are reflected in the structure of the rock garden. Although landscape design does not pay enough attention to Japanese philosophy, it continues to use the age-old principles of constructing stone gardens.


For the Japanese, stone has never been a building material - only an object of worship and admiration. Echoes of the cultic attitude towards stone blocks are presented in classical methods of arranging compositions. When creating an oriental design, boulders are placed in the following ways:

  • Mount Horai is a single stone in the middle of a pond as a symbol of this distant peak.
  • Mount Sumi is a composition of three stones located in a pond or on a small hill.
  • The Three Jewels is an arrangement method based on Buddhist traditions.
  • Crane and turtle islands repeat folk tales and legends in the garden landscape.

The Japanese attach great importance to the choice of stones. Since boulders are often used in groups, it is not the shape of the individual object that is important, but the harmony of the composition. The design of the Japanese garden welcomes interspersed ancient stones covered with mosses and lichens, with rounded outlines. According to the beliefs of the Japanese, such blocks bring peace and harmony to the house; without them it is impossible to decorate a garden in the style of the Land of the Rising Sun.

When creating a composition, they adhere to clear principles for arranging stones. The difficulty lies in the correct placement of the main boulder that crowns the entire landscape design. The remaining elements naturally frame the central stone block, creating miniature compositions symbolizing islands or mountain ranges. A Japanese-style garden gives free rein to imagination, but at the same time dictates its own rules.

It is not customary to place stones in an ascending or descending line - the Japanese do not like artificial symmetry. River, mountain and sea stones are not combined in one composition.

To keep the boulders stable, they are dug in. To hide defects and chips, low-growing shrubs or grass are planted near the stone composition. Plants for a Japanese rock garden are chosen in wild, modest colors.

The appearance of this territory is the most familiar to the European view: open space, water flow and a lot of green spaces. Both evergreen and deciduous trees grow in shady corners - this is how the alternation of flowering of each seedling is achieved depending on the season.

A good addition to trees are trimmed bushes of boxwood, rhododendron, cotoneaster, etc. Such plants, if necessary, hide the walls of houses, garbage containers or composting facilities (if the garden is planned to be located in the country). Conversely, decorated bush caps serve as a natural frame for the view of a river bank or an endless field.


Great importance in a tree garden is given to decorative elements - hedges, bridges, lanterns, gates... As a rule, internal barriers are made light and airy using a wooden picket fence or bamboo. But external fences are made of stones and decorated with tiles.

Part of a traditional Japanese tea ceremony. Its main purpose is to create the necessary atmosphere of peace and tranquility. Its area is not large and imitates a fragment of a mountainous area where eastern sages settled.


At the far end of the garden there is a hut for the tea ceremony - chashitsu. This is a small ascetic house, reminiscent of the home of the sages. Both the appearance and interior decoration of this building are very laconic. It is believed that this is the only way to achieve true harmony and tune in to contemplation.

The garden itself seems to prepare a person for the ceremony, being the border between the busy world and the territory of spirituality.

It is decorated in a discreet style, close to nature. Plants and stones are arranged in a natural, seemingly chaotic order. The lighting should be low, barely enough to see the path.

Lanterns are an indispensable attribute of a Japanese garden; they are used both for decoration and for lighting the area. At first, decorative lamps were present only in tea gardens, but later they became the hallmark of any Japanese-style landscape design. As a rule, only one lantern made of stone is installed. Pedestal models - tachigata - brightly illuminate the surrounding area. The luminous flux of hidden lanterns - ikekomigata - is directed downwards.

Photo: the bridge serves a decorative function

Bridges in a Japanese garden do not always serve as a means of crossing to the other side; rather, they are used as another design element. Unlike Chinese or European designs, the Japanese bridge is flat, sometimes not intended for walking at all. The Yatsuhashi bridge is extremely decorative, composed of eight elements - stones or wide boards.

The parts of the structure are laid in a zigzag pattern, so walking along it can be difficult. Such bridges fit well into a landscape park; they are installed over artificial ponds, depressions with wet soil, or directly above the lawn.


Japanese gardens can tell a lot about the character of the inhabitants of the Land of the Rising Sun. And for Europeans it is a magnificent combination of light, greenery, stone and water, a kind of door to understanding the culture and traditions of the East.

Video: miniature Japan on site

Calmness and the leisurely passage of time surrounded by stones and the sound of water - this can be the space in your garden. It’s not difficult to make a Japanese garden in your country house with your own hands. How? Read our article!

Having heard the phrase “Japanese garden” out of the corner of a curious ear, many imagine only bright paper lanterns, a statue of a pot-bellied, imperturbable Buddha, or bright, agile fish in a pond. Meanwhile, a Japanese-style garden has many faces, and quite often there is only one solo element.

As you already understand, in our article today we will tell you how to create a Japanese-style garden on your small area or at least try to organize an atmospheric oriental corner there.

Concept

A Japanese-style garden is always a clear arrangement of details and accents. You shouldn’t think that something can grow there on its own: the choice of plants for this space is deeply symbolic, and their arrangement should create an overall picture that you can appreciate not only while in the garden itself, but also looking at it from afar.

As a rule, garden elements are arranged according to visual distance: starting from the largest in the foreground and ending with the smallest in the distance. Thus, even if you create a Japanese garden on a meter-long piece of land behind the house, you will still get smooth transitions and overall integrity of the picture.

As for the general color combination, the main color of the Japanese garden is green. Its shades can vary from dark emerald to light green, thereby creating a feeling of constant dynamics and silent “conversation” in the garden.

When choosing plants, give preference to evergreen shrubs and do not forget about symbolism: for example, a pine tree means longevity, and a plum tree means spiritual beauty. Which do you prefer? Maybe maple is a symbol of wisdom and knowledge?

Rock Garden

The Japanese garden is the only type of garden that can consist entirely of stones. Yes, yes, no flowers at all. Only stones - ancient boulders overgrown with moss, angular cobblestones and small shiny pebbles.

In Japanese tradition, stones have very multifaceted meanings, ranging from longevity to the infinity of time and connection with ancestors. We do not encourage you to try to build a stone kingdom on your 6 acres, but dry streams of stones will be very appropriate and will even help you zone the space.

Gazebo and pond

It's great if these two elements are combined in your Japanese garden, because relaxing in it usually involves contemplating water. It is absolutely not necessary to build a fortress moat filled with water around the house and raise rare living creatures there - a small reservoir surrounded by curved trees or bushes will be enough.

As for the gazebo, don’t even think about organizing a barbecue there or anything like that. A gazebo in a Japanese garden suggests a leisurely, even slightly detached rest and should be an open space where you can sit down for a while and drink tea. It is usually performed in the form of a pagoda; It would also be a good idea to equip the path to it with small lanterns - this way you can easily make your way there in the evenings without the risk of falling into the fish pond.

Kingdom of Moss

Moss in Japanese tradition symbolizes maternal protection, as well as the endless passage of time. Perhaps this is why, when we find ourselves in a forest surrounded by a space of moss, time seems to stand still. Who knows, maybe at this moment we have a tiny opportunity to control it?

If your dacha is located in the forest or you simply know what constant rains and a damp climate are, then creating a kingdom of moss in your garden will not be difficult for you: moss is very unpretentious and “spreads” beautifully throughout the area on its own.

Of course, we do not encourage you to cover everything with it, from the house to the surprised cat who dozed off just a couple of hours ago. But if you want to create a fairy tale in your garden, filled with secrets and quiet whispers, then moss will be a great idea for this. Besides, isn't it nice to constantly feel the endless passage of time while walking through it barefoot?

Photo: animeblog.ru, landscape-expert.com, remontbp.com, artrea.ru

Have you been to a Japanese garden and enjoyed its mystery and tranquility? Have you ever, merging with nature, surrendered to thoughts about the life of simple, eternal things? If not, then be sure to visit this magical place - the Japanese garden will give you spiritual harmony and tranquility, leaving the warmest memories in your memory. And after familiarizing yourself with the concept of Japanese garden art, you can create a corner or garden in the Japanese style on your site.

Art from antiquity. History of the development of Japanese gardening

VI–VIII centuries Nara period

The first Japanese garden appeared in the 6th century, it was laid out on the territory of the imperial palace in the ancient capital of Japan, Nara, which was a reflection of the Chinese city of Chanchan. Then the idea of ​​garden art was borrowed from China, as well as some of the basics of Japanese traditions and culture.

Gardens of that time had two main elements - stones and water (the skeleton and blood of the garden). At the same time, the Japanese began to attach meaning to all objects and use symbolism. A large, heavy stone symbolizes security, a waterfall symbolizes the beginning of life, etc. Further, gardens developed according to the spirit of the times.

IX–XII centuries Heian period

A time of change and the construction of a new capital, Kyoto, which was distinguished by genuine Japanese characteristics. During this period of time, a new direction in garden art was formed - the tea ceremony garden; its concept included an island of wildlife with a tea pavilion.

XV century The reign of Shogun Ashikan

The beginning of the development of a completely new, simple and mysterious form of arrangement - compositions displayed in the niche of the tokonoma.

XIX–XX centuries Moribana

Japanese garden art, which has existed for centuries, is changing and adapting to the demand of the West (Western interior). The main feature of the Moribana trend is the appearance of low and flat trees in gardens. floor vases.

Since the beginning of their formation, the gardens of the Land of the Rising Sun have changed in accordance with the culture of different times; the religious beliefs of Buddhism and Shinto have been the constant support of the changes. The foundations of modern Japanese garden art were formed and consolidated closer to 19th century. A Japanese garden is an image of the world and wildlife in miniature.

Philosophy of the Japanese garden

We are used to gardens filled with plants and decorative elements. In the modern understanding, a garden is an area in which there is no place for emptiness, and the key point of a Japanese garden, on the contrary, is the abundance of free space and emptiness, which can cause a feeling of anxiety in a modern person, however, once you feel the atmosphere of a Japanese garden, the anxiety goes away, it is replaced by a pleasant peace.

"Without nothing you can't get something"

The empty spaces “ma” emphasize the surrounding objects, or the elements of the garden emphasize the emptiness, define space - this is the personification of the well-known transitional forces of the two principles “yin” and “yang”. This principle, difficult to create a Japanese garden, is fundamental.

“Nothing lasts forever, nothing is finished and nothing is perfect.”

There are two more rather complex, but very important concepts in creating a garden - wabi and sabi, they are not easy to explain, they are part of the Japanese worldview, aesthetics and culture. "Wabi" is modesty and simplicity with inner strength, "sabi" is the personification of authenticity, antiquity and genuineness. Philosophical meaning These concepts inherent in Japanese culture are the beauty of the imperfect, simple, natural, unfinished and devoid of excess.

In the Zen understanding of the world, the concepts of “wabi” and “sabi” represent a way beyond the material world, closer to simple, earthly life, where the outer shell of objects is not significant, what is inside, the deep essence, is much more important. The Japanese garden is designed so that a person can experience the beauty of the ordinary, the simple, without getting hung up on the appearance of the surrounding objects.

“Nature is the ideal to which man should strive”

The system of Japanese garden art is based on the perfect and beautiful world of untouched earthly nature. Japanese gardeners do not change nature; they use what is at hand, emphasizing all the extraordinary beauty of the pristine.


Miniature model of the world

A Japanese garden is a natural, natural landscape presented in miniature. Once you enter this mysterious place, you will not see it completely. A distinctive feature of Japanese gardens is the competent division of the territory into sections (chambers), which are separate, completely new secluded corners with an individual view and decorative elements.

All the beauty of the garden, its secrets and mysteries can be seen only by entering it. Since the Japanese garden is hidden from prying eyes, there may be small holes in its fence, looking into which you will see only the smallest part of it.

Symbolism

The concept of a “Japanese garden” is a philosophy where each element of the garden plays not only a decorative role, it is also endowed with an individual meaning (symbol) that must be felt and understood; any detail of a Japanese garden must certainly take its place.

It is easier to understand the symbolism of each element if you are familiar with the culture and philosophy of Japan, but you can try to understand the symbols in a different way. Entering a Japanese-style garden, you are left alone with nature, immersed in the contemplation of the landscape and letting go of your thoughts, you can give free rein to your imagination, it will help you feel the atmosphere of the garden and understand the meaning of the compositions.

Key elements of a Japanese garden

Gates

Since ancient times, gates in Japan spoke of the social status of the family living behind them. Initially they consisted of two pillars with an upper crossbar; later gates with a roof appeared. At that time, aristocrats competed in building exquisite gates, and in private houses only officials could install them, but over time the ban partially disappeared; ordinary people were able to install gates only from the 19th century.

There are several types of gates: in gardens, a U-shaped structure (a roof on two pillars) or a gate with one leaf without a roof is more common. The materials used to cover roofs are tiles, copper, iron or timber. The sashes are divided into sliding, double-leaf or single-leaf, and they are made of metal or wood. The width of the gate varies, depending on the size of the garden.

Walls and fences

All types of fences in Japanese gardens can be divided into 4 types:

  1. Walls protecting the garden from prying eyes.
  2. Hedges that hide any imperfections in the garden or technical structures.
  3. The fences dividing the garden into zones are no more than two meters high.
  4. Decorative hedges, wickets and gates that do not carry a symbolic load and are part of the composition.

Tsukubai

A vessel for ablution, it can be used while squatting. Visitors are required to wash their hands and rinse their mouths, and washing in tsukubai cleanses the heart and mind.

Types of Tsukubaya

  • Natural - a depression is made in the stone, approximately 12 or 30 cm in diameter, depending on the size of the stone. Decor for tsukubaya of this type is not provided.
  • Imitative – made to imitate the vessels used in the garden. It can be in the form of a round coin with a hole in the center, a sake cup, etc.



Shikaodoshi (sozu, shishiodoshi)

Previously, shikaodoshi was used in rural areas as a scarecrow. The device repelled large pests of fields and vegetable gardens. The device works like this: water flowing from the kakehi fills the front elbow of a bamboo tube with closed partitions, the tube turns over, the water pours out and it returns to its original position. When returning, the opposite end of the pipe hits a stone, and the bamboo emits a scaring signal - a knock. Now the element performs a decorative function and enlivens the garden with a pleasant murmur, and tapping adds dynamics to the overall atmosphere.

Lanterns

The idea of ​​stone lanterns was borrowed from China; in gardens they serve a lighting function or serve aesthetic purposes. Almost all lanterns are made of stone, but the use of wood or metal is also possible. More often, only one lantern is installed in gardens, with the exception of a tea garden, where there may be several of them.

The structure consists of a supporting stone, the support itself, a stand for the lamp chamber, a chamber, a roof and a finial. Lanterns are found in the pedestal type (tachigata) for large gardens, the hidden type (ikekomigata) for small gardens, and the installation type (okigata), which are installed near bodies of water. Another type - yukimi (lanterns for admiring snow) is also installed near water bodies.


Pagodas

Multi-tiered towers that have a cult character. The number of tiers varies from 3 to 13, odd numbers are observed. Pagodas are shaped like square, round, hexagonal and octagonal. They are made of wood or stone, the structure consists of separate, loose blocks, so the material for each tier must be carefully selected, and care should be taken to ensure a reliable base, it can be sprinkled with gravel or concreted.

Pagodas are installed near bodies of water, under an artificial mountain, or near a thick tree, large stone or fence, at a fork in paths.

Bridges

Bridges in a Japanese garden are not always a crossing between banks. Often they play a more magical and symbolic role, some are decorative (for example, a bridge covered with turf).

Stone bridges are made of elongated slabs or flat stones; the surface of the bridge rises 10 cm above the adjacent path.

Yatsuhashi, the name consists of two words (yatsu means “eight”, hashi means “bridge”). An unusual view of the bridge, consisting of eight zigzag panels. It is designed so that the visitor walks across it at a leisurely pace - if the bridge is wooden, then it consists of loose transverse boards laid on horizontal beams. Yatsuhashi carries a deep meaning.

The symbolism lies in the sacred meaning of the number 8 (the eightfold path to comprehending the truth). Yatsuhashi can consist of a different number of paintings, the main thing is that their number is symbolic. The number 5, for example, can symbolize the 5 Buddhist precepts or the 5 basic elements (fire, water, metal, earth and wood). The number 3 is a symbol of the Buddhist triad or 3 sacred relics of Shintoism.

Gazebos

In Japanese architecture, there are certain requirements regarding wooden buildings, such as modularity and frame. The load-bearing parts of the entire structure are transverse beams and pillars (framework of the building). A rectangular straw mat is used as a building area module. The gazebo serves as a canopy over the bench and can be installed in a place that offers a picturesque view. The gazebo may have round windows symbolizing the moon.


Japanese garden styles

The Japanese garden, an example of simple and unspoiled nature, is a kind of geometric composition that consists of three main stylistic directions.

  • Tsukiyama– the style most accurately reflects the natural world in miniature. There is a place for majestic hills, turbulent streams and sedate ponds.
  • Style Karesansui(dry landscape) - an idea of ​​Zen spiritualism. This style uses gravel and sand, the components represent rivers and seas, for example, the flow of water in such a garden is represented by white sand. Stones are also used - a waterfall is represented by a large boulder, and a boat or mountain by smaller stones.
  • Chaniwa. This style emphasizes simplicity, the ordinary, and avoids showiness. The main elements of a garden in the Chaniwa style:
    • Stone lantern (ishidõrõ);
    • The pool and ladle are made of stone (tsukubai), which visitors use to wash their hands and rinse their mouths before entering the tea pavilion;
    • A pipe made from a bamboo stem through which water flows (kakei);
    • Required element style - stone path (tobi ishi);
    • A small round stone, tied crosswise with straw rope, it indicates the area forbidden for visitors to walk (sekimori ishi).

Types of Japanese gardens, nuances of arrangement

Rock Garden

In China, they believed that the islands of the immortals were hidden in the vastness of the Eastern Sea, and they gave the name Horai to the main island. Then the idea of ​​creating a miniature copy of these islands arose; initially they were ponds with small islands; later dry gardens appeared, where combed sand acted as water, and stones in a small halo of improvised land represented the islands.

Over time, the idea arose to lay stones in the image of sacred animals - the turtle and the crane, symbols of long life, soaring of the human spirit and depth of knowledge. You can find symbolic compositions in the form of some mythical character, the sacred Mount Sumeru and even Buddha. The true meaning inherent in the idea of ​​dry gardens can only be understood by those who speak the ancient language of symbols; the rest can only be content with the emotions of contemplating the unique aesthetics of a dry rock garden.

“Monks negotiating with stones” is the nickname given to craftsmen who search for stones of beautiful shapes with an inner deity, clergy who know how to show the beauty and mystery of stones through their correct arrangement. Later, the monks began to subject the stones to minor processing in order to obtain a more successful and beautiful shape. At the same time, they sought to leave natural look stone

Now the sacred aspect when creating a rock garden is not so relevant, but is not completely forgotten. The Japanese have maintained a reverent attitude towards garden stones. For example, a true garden connoisseur can water a plant as needed, but a stone every day, while enjoying its external changes under the influence of water.

The name of the garden is based on its main character - stone, but this does not mean at all that there cannot be water, paths and plants in it. Over time, several basic principles for creating a rock garden have been identified.

  1. Object of worship. For the Japanese, stone has always been an object of worship, faith and an example of natural beauty. The Japanese have never classified the huge stone as an ordinary mineral; to this day they believe that a deity lives in it. Nowadays, in Japanese gardens there are such arrangements of stones as the mountains “Shumi”, “Horai”, “Three Jewels” (Buddha, Dharma, Sangha), as well as compositions based on folk beliefs - the islands of the crane and turtle.
  2. The second principle concerns the selection of stones based on various factors:
    • Form - the most important point in selection. If stones are used in a group, then it is quite acceptable to have a flaw in one of the stones; this will add harmony to the entire setting. But the landscape stone must have a suitable shape for the nature of the area in which it will be placed.
    • Natural look- a stone that has changed over time under the influence of natural factors, is the best option for the garden, as it symbolizes antiquity and tranquility.
    • Color - colorful, overly shiny stones are not the best option for a Japanese-style garden. You should select stones with a calm, discreet color and gloss.
    • Stones with foreign inclusions are highly valued, inclusions are taken into account when choosing the direction of the sides of the stone when installing it.
    • Hardness– especially hard rocks are valuable; they are more susceptible to natural influences on their appearance.

Ikioi is the strength, energy and power of a stone; it is born from shapes, inclusions and sizes. Ikioi is an important factor when setting stones.

  1. Balanced arrangement of stones. The method of installing stones depends on the purpose pursued when laying out the garden. However, you should not create frontal compositions, this will spoil the dynamics. Near bodies of water, stones should only be placed at key points, and when modeling mountains, it is important to avoid horizontal symmetry.
  2. Number of stones. The Japanese love odd numbers, and this also applies to the number of stones in garden compositions.
  3. Taboo when placing stones: close placement of stones of the same height, shape and volume. Compositions of multi-colored stones. River, sea and mountain stones cannot form one composition. Stones cannot be placed parallel to the building line and on the same vertical line. Inclusions should not be ignored, and the spirit power of the stones (Kisei) should work in one direction.

It is important that all compositions of stones form the image of a triangle. When installing stones, you need to create an image of stability; for this, the stone can be buried either half or a small part of it. Stone standing vertically natural conditions, can be displayed in the same way in the garden, but it should not look like it is falling. Stepped settings are used to successfully express force and movement.

A particular difficulty lies in installing the main stone; the rest seem to obey it. The main, as a rule, the largest stone should be placed in the background; very rarely it is installed in the foreground.

Sand patterns

Since ancient times, servants of Shinto shrines created an image of purity with the help of small crushed stone or light gravel, sprinkled with them on the grounds; gardeners use the same method when creating dry gardens, personifying the image of water; now sand is more often used. Gardeners use special weighted rakes to leave various patterns on it, for example, a pattern of wavy lines symbolizes running water, and straight water is standing. Any pattern should be in harmony with the rest of the surrounding elements.

Paved paths

The material for the paths is natural stone, any concrete products, etc., the material can be of different shapes and sizes, the main condition is the pattern formed. The stones are laid in such a way that when creating the pattern they do not create quadrangles. The size of the seams depends on the size of the material used, but it should not be too wide or narrow, it is important to stick to the golden mean.

Tobiishi (flying stones)

Paths lined with individual stones, and the stones can rise above the ground up to 8 mm. Unlike paved paths, tobiishi play a more decorative role, and are often deliberately made inconvenient for fast walking.

Tea ceremony garden or roji

Back in the 15th–16th centuries. Tea ceremonies for the Japanese became a kind of philosophical ritual, in which any object and its location were given special significance, tea masters paid a lot of attention to organizing the territory around the tea pavilion, and this is how the tea ceremony garden was formed.

Japanese word roji (tea garden) contains the hieroglyph for "road", the garden was originally given the meaning of the road leading to the tea house.

As a rule, tea houses were built on a small plot of land and there were rather narrow paths between them, and closer to end of XVI centuries, tea gardens acquired an expanded form, the garden began to be separated by a small fence with a gate dividing the garden into two parts (outer roji and inner roji) with different landscapes.

Due to the fact that tea houses were often built near the main dwelling with an adjacent garden, the idea of ​​constructing a special garden, subject to all the conditions of the tea ceremony ritual, arose. The arrangement of the tea house and the surrounding area is subject to the aesthetic concepts of wabi-sabi.

When creating a tea garden, you need to be aware of the key elements that should be placed in such a way that the visitor can leisurely stroll even through a cramped garden space.

  • Hakamatsuke is a place where visitors are welcomed. Guests can immediately tidy up their toilet. Sometimes there is no need to build a hakamatsuke, for example, if the tea pavilion is connected to the main house.
  • Matiai is a structure of three walls with a bench and a canopy. Here guests await an invitation to the tea ceremony.
  • Toilet. Usually the toilet is attached to the hakamatsuke or matiai, sometimes it is built separately. A small, modest building with a latrine pit, above which there is a stand (something like a table with four legs). The toilet performs a purely decorative function.
  • Well. Previously, a tea house was built next to the place where potable water was found. The frame of the well was laid with flat stones. Stones were placed nearby for the tub and as a support for drawing water. The well was covered with a special lid.
  • Tsukubai. When installing an element in a tea garden, first install a vessel for water from artificial stone or some other material, then flat stones are placed in front of it and on the sides, the front one for convenience, the side ones for containers with water and for a candlestick.
  • The inner gate separates the outer roji and the inner one. Here the owner greets visitors. The gate can be with two leaves, lifting or in the form of a small barrier with a hole in the middle (nakakuguri), you can only pass through the opening by bending over.
  • Flashlight. There are several lanterns in the tea garden. various forms in different corners.
  • Tobiishi, nobedan. Tobiishi in the tea ceremony garden is led to the stone in front of the nijiriguchi. Nobedan is laid out instead of tobiishi from stones of unequal sizes. The path should be comfortable.
  • Garbage pit. On a wide area it is a hexagonal or rectangular pit, and on a narrow area it is round. The garbage pit does not perform utilitarian functions, only decorative ones; the visitor must look for beauty in the ordinary.
  • Sword stand. The structure of high-set stones (in two tiers) is located under the canopy of the tea house.
  • Fence. Installed to separate indoor garden from external. The type and material are varied, and the height is 120 cm.
  • Fumiishi, nijiriguchi. Fumiishi (place for removing shoes) is a stone that acts as a step before nijiriguchi. The height and width of the last element is approximately 60–90 cm; the guest must crawl into it, kneeling down.
  • Trees. Tree varieties are not particularly important, with the exception of flowering varieties; with their flowering they can make the garden too bright. It is important to maintain a balance with nature; you cannot plant a tree near water that can only be found in the mountains. It is also prohibited to plant trees in a row, and care should be taken that they do not obscure each other.


Tree garden

This type of garden is closest to natural landscapes. Despite the Japanese desire for naturalness, when caring for a garden, it is not forbidden to shape trees and trim shrubs (niwaki, karikomi), because in this way you can create the illusion of distant landscapes and give meaning to a composition of trees and shrubs. But it is worth remembering that you cannot create something that does not exist in nature, for example, animal-shaped bushes.

There are a number important rules To design a tree garden, so that the garden creates the desired mood, you should strictly adhere to each of them.

  • Landscape. If there is a noisy road or ugly buildings near the garden, they need to be hidden and camouflaged. If there is a beautiful view from the garden, it needs to be taken into account and emphasized. Thus, the territory of the garden itself expands.
  • Illumination and height balance. The height of the trees is selected based on the size of the garden, so that the garden is not overly shaded. The height of main trees should generally not exceed 5 meters.
  • Nature as a model in the selection of trees. When choosing trees, you need to take a closer look at the surrounding nature: those types of trees that are found nearby are perfect for the garden.
  • Unusual or rare trees. If you cannot do without a tree unusual for the area, you need to take care in advance of fertilizing the soil and studying all the nuances of growing.
  • The uniqueness of trees. Every tree in the garden plays its role, but in general they are all interconnected. Large varieties create the appearance of the garden, medium ones enliven the main trees, and small ones are a good accent, while shrubs create the composition of the lower part of the garden.
  • Selection of trees. The criteria for selection are foliage, fruits and color, and the shape of the foliage can be very diverse, it all depends on the composition being created.
  • Accompanying plants, framing. Trees, no matter how beautiful they are, need framing. The best option there will be a planting of a plant completely opposite in shape and texture, for example, deciduous and evergreen trees. The layout of the lower level of the garden performs decorative and practical functions. Practical ones include hiding debris with bushes and grass and strengthening the soil.
  • Illumination. When selecting trees and thinking through their location, one should not forget that some of them require light, while others are generally unpretentious in this regard.
  • Number of trees in mixed planting. In a large garden area, the balance between deciduous and evergreen trees is seven to three; in a small area, it is permissible to compensate for the lack of space by flowering trees, with their help you can create the illusion of length and illumination.
  • Signs associated with trees. It’s a good idea to plant several trees in the garden that are associated with beliefs and omens, for example, pine in the southern part of Japan has the reputation of a tree that protects from adversity.
  • Techniques for visually enlarging a garden. You can visually enlarge the garden by giving it a hilly topography using artificial embankments, or by laying out a paved area, replacing trees with shrubs and herbs. You can play with color: warm tones always seem closer to cold ones, so it is better to plant warm-colored plants in the foreground. Another interesting technique is the path “to nowhere”. For example, a walking path may branch and the visitor thinks that the branch leads to another part of the garden, when in fact there is a dead end, disguised by trees.
  • Aging garden. No matter how beautiful a tree garden may be, unfortunately, the plants age over time, so two options appear - restoration of the garden or complete redevelopment. When restoring a garden, it is advisable to replace old plants with young ones of the same or similar species.


Tsubo garden

This type of Japanese-style garden has a long history; it appeared in the Middle Ages, during the period of massive construction. Translated, the word “tsubo” means a pot, a small container. This determines the small size of the garden, arranged among residential buildings. The Tsubo garden can be called a reflection of the character of the Japanese, the philosophy of their life. Incredibly, the Japanese manage to live in harmony and unity with nature, even in cramped spaces.

Such a garden can be located both outdoors and indoors. There are several rules for arranging a small universe called a “tsubo garden”.

  • Light, illumination and moisture. Small space and the location of the garden can interfere with the normal passage of sunlight, so it is better to choose shade-tolerant plants. In such a garden you need to constantly monitor the soil moisture; it is better to take care of drainage before planting. Additional lighting will decorate the garden and highlight important accents. However, lanterns and lamps must be placed so that they are invisible.
  • The path of the winds. The rooms facing the garden are well ventilated, which is a definite plus for the entire home.
  • Garden area and building layout. The tsubo garden is the smallest of all, but it is difficult to give specific dimensions, since everything depends on the layout of the building in which it is located. Therefore, at the initial stage of planning a living space, you need to take into account the space allocated to the garden; you also need to think about the correspondence of the elements of the garden and the architecture of the house, for example, a stone lantern, tobiishi and tsukubai should be in harmony with the overall decor of the house.

The tsubo garden requires special care, all because it is located directly in the home. To avoid carrying dirt around the house, you can sprinkle the soil with pebbles, but these too will become dirty over time. Moss will come to the rescue, which can also cover the surface of the earth.