5 styles of Japanese gardens
There are different types of gardens, which according to the time of origin and the seasons, will differentiate themselves a lot from each other.
At a time when Buddhism is at its peak in Japan, the garden is primarily a Zen place. In the 20th century, the garden is purified and there is only sand and rock. Other elements of nature are neglected to increase meditation on the individual. The dry garden is called Karesansui, the best-known example in Japan of the dry garden is Ryon-ji temple in Kyoto. The water is replaced by carefully raked gravel and fifteen moss-covered rocks remind us of the wear and tear of time (but you will discover many other meanings and amazing puzzles during your visit).
Nature is represented as simply as possible, and you will just sit in front of this marvel and meditate contemplating this splendor of Zen art.
In contrast to these gardens, the Heian period (794-1185) retained a real representation of nature and their size is much larger. The Shinden style garden is large and often attached to a series of large buildings. In Kyoto, there are still life-size aspects of this type of garden, which has become quite rare, especially at Daikaku-ji temple. The pond of Osawa, element of this garden, by its size, quite defines the style of the Heian period. In late March, early April, you can admire the beautiful cherry blossoms that surround the temple and Shingyo Pagoda.
The arrival of the art of the tea ceremony will also change the style of Japanese gardens. The Sadô (the art of tea) develops much in the 16th century and takes place in a small pavilion surrounded by a garden. The garden of the tea ceremony where Chaniwa, must be synonymous with purity and its purpose is to disconnect the host from the outside world. There are few flowers with too strong colors or they will be discreetly strewn in the landscape. Access to the building where we attend the ceremony (chashitsu) is a small stone path surrounded by some trees. The chaniwa is elegant, discreet and modest. You will be able to admire a magnificent tea ceremony garden at the sublime Kenrokuen Park in Kanazawa, or at the Katsura Villa in Kyoto (note that the latter asks visitors to book a long time in advance).
When traveling to Japan, you will certainly spend the night in a ryokan (Japanese-style accommodation) and then have the opportunity to contemplate in some of them courtyards gardens such as Tsuboniwa style. The style of this garden is closely related to the traditional Japanese architecture and just like the chaniwa, it is a simple and pure garden. The surface of this garden is often very small and is composed of water, often camellias, small maples, wisteria, rocks and can also be a dry garden with raked gravel. It is synonymous with life and light in the dwelling places.
Edo Gardens
Finally, during the Edo period (1603-1868), we began to design Japanese gardens as places for walks, small ponds and water sources crossed by wooden bridges or stone. Japan enters an era of peace and the garden is symbol of the wealth of the lords (Daimyos), they can no longer show their military power. The isolationism gradually fades away and the Japanese discover a real taste for travel and nature, which inspires the art of gardens of that time. The Katsura villa in Kyoto and its garden of the Edo period is one of the finest examples as well as the kenrokuen of Kanazawa. You will also find in Tokyo the garden of the park Shinjuku Gyoen where still koishikawa Koraku-in near Tokyo Dome.
