Authentic Japanese Gardens: Creating Japanese Design and Detail in the Western Garden (IMM Lifestyle Books) Traditional Elements, Layout, a Plant Directory of Trees, Shrubs, Bamboo, Flowers, and More

by Yoko Kawaguchi

Your guide to Japanese gardening design! This beautifully illustrated book offers an inspirational and practical introduction to the tradition of Japanese Zen gardens. Emphasizing the value of shape in trees and shrubs with the subtlety of color through the varied greens of foliage and moss, Authentic Japanese Gardens explains how western plants and materials can be used to achieve peaceful, contemplative gardens. There are instructions and tips for selecting plants and materials that are readily available, as well as plant lists and climate zone maps to aid western gardeners and landscapers. As the wealth of stunning color photographs from around the world demonstrates, Japanese landscaping is concerned with a reverence for nature. The overall effect is of tranquility, with gardens crafted using natural materials such as wood, bamboo, rocks, and pebbles. In 168 information-packed pages, Authentic Japanese Gardens will help you to create a much-needed oasis of calm in your own outdoor space. Inside this practical guide to recreating traditional Japanese-style gardens, author Yoko Kawaguchi explains how non-Japanese plants and materials can be used to achieve the natural, minimalist look of Japanese garden designs. This revised, photo-heavy edition features new text and stunning new color photography (the former edition was published as Serene Gardens ). Learn all you need to know about traditional Japanese gardens, with historical context, design, and choice of Japanese garden plants, including the hill-and-pond garden, dry-landscape garden, tea garden, and courtyard garden. Then, you'll explore the elements of a Japanese garden, and how to choose, lay out, and care for its components. Get detailed information and helpful suggestions on plants, rocks, water features, sand, paths, stepping-stones, bridges, stone lanterns, pergolas, fences, and borrowed vistas. The text is written to be easy to understand and enjoyable to read even for beginners. The extensive plant directory is packed with details and advice on the types of trees, shrubs, berries, ground cover, grasses, bamboos, mosses, ferns, tropical specimen plants, foliage, flowers, aquatic plants, and non-traditional alternatives to use in your garden. From flowering trees and hedge plants to ornamental trees, toad lilies, evergreen shrubs, and more, you'll learn how understatement, rather than profusion, creates the calmness of this style of gardening. 150 bright, colorful photographs and helpful illustrations provide excellent examples of gorgeous garden designs that work with nature. Learn about tree pruning and topiary, the importance of each design element, useful tips on choosing appropriate plants, shrubs, and trees, and more gardening DIY advice for creating an outdoor space that will fit your lifestyle. The Resources section is packed with important details on hardiness zones, a bibliography, gardens to visit, supplies, and a complete index. A perfect gift for new homeowners, you'll discover how to recreate Japanese garden design and detail whether in a tiny urban patio, backyard, or a large country garden, with the practical advice and stunning color photography inside Authentic Japanese Gardens ! "Full of ideas for planting your own Zen garden and creating a natural haven of peace and tranquility"
—Go Japan Go

Genres: Japan, Gardening, Nonfiction

168 pages, Paperback

Published March 22, 2016

Reviews

[A.L. Buehrer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very readable introduction to the art of Japanese garden design. The amount of information is easy to digest but substantial enough to put into practice. The photography is both aesthetically pleasing and useful in illustrating the concepts being explained in the text. I really enjoyed reading through it during my morning cup of tea.

The book is divided into three chapters. One covers some history and the different types of Japanese gardens. Two discusses elements included in traditional Japanese garden design and how to incorporate them. Three is a directory of plants, shrubs, and trees. I’ll definitely be referring back to this information as I continue work on my own little Japanese garden.

This definitely isn’t the first gardening/landscaping book I’ve read through—but I do think it’s the first one I’ve logged on Goodreads. I’m probably throwing everybody off with my sudden interest in stone lanterns and creating balance through asymmetry, but if anybody else is also curious about Japanese garden design, I recommend this book as a starting point.

[Susan Peak · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent guide to Japanese gardens, both in themselves and in how to recreate them, with due account taken of different climates. This book is well structured, looking at different types of Japanese gardens and their components, very thorough, and beautifully illustrated

[Gerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent resource for anyone intending to create a Japanese style garden bearing in mind the climate and availability of materials in the UK.

The only "downside" ~ 144 of the 168 pages appear to be the entire text and pictures contained in Yoko's previous book "Serene Gardens" published around 2000 ! (ISBN 1-85974-308-0 ~ cover price £12.99)

[Patricia Hughey · Rating 4 out of 5]

For the Love of Japanese Gardens

You can tell from the very beginning that the author, Yoko Kawaguchi, has a real love and affinity for the Japanese garden. I especially enjoyed the description of the history and evolution of the different types of Japanese gardens. There are lots of beautiful photos from gardens in Japan, U.S., and other countries, and I would like to have seen even more. Plant lists with descriptions are included and will help anyone trying to create their own paradise. I would like to have seen a more specific layout for a Japanese vignette since most of us can't go all out for a large Japanese garden but do love that aesthetic. The next time I visit a Japanese garden I will be able to appreciate it even more because of this book. Altogether well written and worth reading.

[Carmen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned that Japanese gardens have four different styles. That many times the rocks symbolize specific mountains. I really can use the list of plants: trees, bushes etc in the back. The author did a good job of explaining without talking down.

[L M Luis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book.

It is an easy read with detailed information. Good examples in pictures and lots of resources on plants and design elements of a Japanese garden.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actually a little disappointed that there weren’t more illustrations of gardens or portions of gardens, but the detailed explanations of concepts was very good.