Borrowed scenery
Borrowed scenery, shakkei, is one of the techniques of garden design. It integrates the scenery beyond the backside of the gardens with the actual gardens. In most cases, borrowed scenery can be easily done when the garden site is near mountains. As a Japanese garden designer, I categorize two types of Japanese gardens using borrowed […]
From the Outside In
“From the outside in” is our company’s motto. When we design a house, we always think about achieving an intimate relationship with its garden. Not to mention designing a garden. This idea is rooted in Japanese culture. It is natural for us. There are many houses shut to the outside. We believe that “From the […]
Meditative Walk
“Meditative walk” is a way to ease stress and achieve mindfulness. Usually, normal walking makes us feel refreshed and relaxed. When we keep strides, our heart rates increase. But in the meditative walk, we move slowly to pay attention to every step. Such an intentional movement causes our heart rate down. Some Christian churches have […]
Garden for Pure Land
Historically, no matter where it is, some gardens have been the place where people materialize their ideal world. Gardens in Japan are no exception. Buddhism was introduced to Japan in the sixth century. Then, it made people visualize the image of the place where they wanted to be after death. Sukhāvatī, or Gokuraku-Jodo in Japanese, […]
Daimyo garden
Koraku-en is one of the most famous Japanese gardens, located in Okayama, Japan. A garden like this is called a daimyo (feudal lord) garden. In my understanding, the name “daimyo garden” does not refer to a style but a general term for the gardens that feudal lords in the Edo period (1603 – 1867) made […]
