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    Japanese Zen Gardens
    Japanese Zen Gardens
    Japanese Zen Gardens
    Ebook71 pages33 minutes

    Japanese Zen Gardens

    By Russ Chard

    ()

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    About this ebook

    If you have ever wondered 'What is a Zen garden?' then this 50 page new publication for 2013 will tell you. Zen gardens are beautiful Japanese gardens steeped in history, religious meaning and a visual simplicity. There are many styles and many ingredients, Stones, Rocks, Moss, Sand, Gravel, Plants and Shrubs,Lanterns and Ornaments.
    Japanese Zen gardens is a book that introduces the reader to the subject and presents the options available for anyone wishing to build their own garden space at home - however large or small.
    Zen gardens are becoming more and more popular around the world and building one is not as difficult as you may think. With a little knowledge and following our step by step instructions with pictures you will discover how straight forward it is to build a Zen garden in your yard or garden.
    Japanese Zen gardens are serene havens of tranquil beauty and the perfect antidote to a stressful world.
    The author Russ Chard has written and published Japanese garden books, articles and videos for the past 10 years.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherZenibo Marketing Ltd
    Release dateFeb 2, 2013
    ISBN9781909908024
    Japanese Zen Gardens

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      Book preview

      Japanese Zen Gardens - Russ Chard

      A HISTORY OF ZEN GARDENS

      Whether you’re aware of what a Zen Garden is or not, you have most likely seen one – a tranquil harmonious place with rocks, sand or gravel and manicured plants and shrubs is probably the most renowned imagery of a Zen Garden. These picturesque gardens, ideal for meditating or simply viewing, are seen enwreathing most religious edifices in Japan, like the famous Buddhist temples in Kyoto.

      Zen Gardens are characterized as such because of the calmness they invoke, which is what makes them ideal for meditation, reflection and relaxation. Inspired initially by Buddhism and Chinese culture, the word ZEN would be written on soil and sand, which is the root and inspiration of Zen Gardens. But a Zen Garden should have more than one meaning for the viewer. As the Japanese say, the mind is flexible if we practice flexibility, thus each garden bears its own interpretation.

      But before we elaborate on what a Zen Garden is, means and what comprises it, let’s first take a journey to the past and unearth the roots and derivation of these beautiful gardens.

      Each period marks its own significant point in the rise, enhancement and adaptation of Zen Gardens in the Japanese culture. These periods are:

      The Han Dynasty

      The Asuka Era

      The Nara Era

      The Heian Era

      The Kamakura Era

      THE HAN DYNASTY

      Although the aspect of Zen Gardens is associated with Japan, it is historically accepted as being a tradition imported from China during what is known as the Han Dynasty (206 – 220 BCE). This recreation, which was more of a philosophy, was adopted by the Japanese and enhanced to their culture. This is why Japanese gardens exemplify a lighter version of Chinese ones and generally follow fewer aesthetic rules and design guidelines in the creation process.

      The first Zen Garden was created by Chinese Emperor Wu Di, who lived from 140-87 BCE. This garden depicted three small islands and it eventually became a custom to use rocks and greenery in order to form island-like motifs and mimic nature. These particular islands were meant to represent the Isles of the Immortals or Taoist gods, a trend that would be replicated throughout the years.

      However, the aspects represented in the gardens of the Han Dynasty period were based on imaginary places, godly realms and mythological landscapes. This imitation of imaginary places went on until the early 600s AD, when the first nature-inspired hill and pond garden was created in Japan by Chinese Emperor Yang Di, who enjoyed good relations with the country.

      The Emperor’s overtures were enticing enough for the Japanese to send their own envoy to China - a man called Ono no Imoko. Imoko who immersed himself in Chinese culture and upon his return to Japan brought all that he had learnt with

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