When I design Japanese gardens, the image of “deep mountains and secluded valleys” (深山幽谷 – shinzan-yūkoku) particularly serves as a basis for my ideas, especially when considering stone arrangements. This evokes the scenery of remote mountain recesses and deep ravines, far from human habitation. This is not unique to me; it’s a design principle seen in Japanese gardens influenced by Chinese Southern Song Dynasty painting.
A landscape shrouded in mist, where the furthest reaches are not visible, stirs human imagination. It is a world of subtle profundity (yūgen – 幽玄). I believe that the mysterious feelings people hold towards landscapes described by this word yūgen are not unique to Japan or even East Asia, but rather emotions that can resonate with people anywhere in the world.
Most of my clients are non-Buddhist Americans, and I constantly consider what kind of Japanese garden they are seeking. In many cases, they expect a healing effect from a Japanese garden. However, surprisingly, there are unique spatial characteristics of Japan, including the aforementioned yūgen, that can be appreciated even without cultural or historical common ground. I make a conscious effort to avoid simplistic designs, such as merely placing a stone lantern and calling it a Japanese garden.
