Creating a Japanese-style winter garden: philosophy and design

If you decide to create a winter garden in the Japanese style at home, you need to understand that this is not just a place for relaxation and a beautiful corner; it is a whole philosophy of minimalism and symbolism. If done correctly, it will become a true source of energy, vitality, and the best remedy for the daily stresses and pace of modern life.

Designing the garden begins with identifying the strong points that will be emphasized. As a rule, this is done as follows: a grid of nine squares is placed over the plan of the future garden. According to Japanese philosophy, the four central points are considered power points, and it is there that the main element of the garden should be located. This could be a rock composition, a water feature, or a tree — in a tub or even an artificial one. A second element is placed diagonally from it, continuing the idea of the first.

When creating a Japanese garden, one must not forget about the three main elements — Air, Water, and Earth. Their components must be included in its design. In the East, stone and water symbolize the male and female principles, which is why their presence is so important for the harmony of the garden. At the same time, water can even be represented symbolically.

Despite its apparent static nature, a Japanese garden carries enormous energy. The Japanese believe this happens precisely because of the interaction between Yin and Yang.

The main purpose of a Japanese garden is contemplation, and traditionally there are two types of gardens. You can choose either one to recreate in your home.

The first is the so-called tsukiyama. It is also called a hilly garden. It is customary to reproduce a well-known landscape in miniature using symbols. Thus, a stone can successfully replace mountains, small trees — a forest, and a small artificial pond — a whole ocean. At the same time, the plants are not given an ideal shape, and ideally, they are not touched at all by a gardener's shears.

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A Japanese winter garden It is assumed that such a winter garden will symbolize the flow of life.

The second type of Japanese garden is karesansui — a dry landscape. It is called a garden only conditionally, as there are no trees, flowers, or even water there. Its main purpose is calming and meditation, and its appearance in Japan is directly linked to Zen Buddhism. In the dry landscape style, the main elements are stones, gravel, and sand. According to symbolism, white gravel represents the water surface, and a unique pattern is created on it using bamboo rakes. The most famous garden of this style is the renowned rock garden at the Ryoan-ji temple in Kyoto, created in the early XVI century.

A garden for tea ceremonies: philosophy and structure

The third type of garden in the Japanese style is a garden for tea ceremonies. Perhaps, for a modern winter garden, it is the most suitable one. As a rule, it combines the two previous styles and, accordingly, is conditionally divided into two zones.

The first is designed in the style of a hilly tsukiyama garden, where the greenery of the trees predominates, setting a positive mood. This zone can be quite small, and moreover, this garden can even consist of just one tree, which will be positioned in accordance with some philosophical idea. The second zone of the garden is the so-called inner one. It can combine the ideas of the hilly and rocky landscapes described above. The plants should be unobtrusive, as it is assumed that bright colors are out of place in a Japanese garden. A wide bench with a canopy is suitable for a tea ceremony.

Untreated, moss-covered stones, mainly of volcanic origin, will be used. For example, basalt or granite. In this case, their quantity must be odd.

If there is to be a water feature in the garden, then there must also be islands. Stones with small plants or actual islets can successfully fulfill this function. The Japanese are convinced that these islands should be reflected in the water. If you decide to do without an actual water feature, it must be replaced by a so-called dry creek. As a rule, this is gravel or sand, which is laid in a layer in accordance with the following application rates:

Decorative elements and plant selection

A popular decorative element for a Japanese garden is stone lanterns. They can be of completely different sizes — both one and a half meters tall and very small. Usually, they are placed near stone compositions and artificial light is created within them.

As for plants for a Japanese winter garden, it should be understood that there will be quite few flowers here. The only exceptions are irises or peonies. At the same time, plants here should not be placed randomly, and one needs to know well the meaning of each one.

A sakura can become the hallmark of a Japanese winter garden — a traditional Japanese symbol of purity, well-being, and resilience. At the same time, the true cultivar of sakura can easily be replaced by more adapted cherry cultivars.