| A pleasant Sunday was spent wandering the | | | | framework and stepping back, altering if needed |
| streets and lanes of Gion in Kyoto, Japan and | | | | and adding each component one at a time until |
| viewing temples such as Kiyomizu Temple and the | | | | the scene becomes a composition of elements |
| quaint Entouin Temple and of course viewing | | | | and each allowed to omit its own energy and not |
| gardens seen along the way. The Japanese and | | | | overpower its neighbours energy. A balance found |
| their families enjoying and I think they love | | | | and that balance measured. Materials located and |
| Sunday, the Temples, lunch and the street life. I | | | | their position guided by the overall theme for the |
| was feeling jealous of their pleasure and they do | | | | garden. |
| like to connect to nature. In my wanderings I | | | | Better to have a simple garden omitting the right |
| found the small area gardens and others in Kyoto | | | | energy than a complicated garden with confusing |
| truly expressed the art of the ideal Japanese | | | | energies. The smaller the area suggests the |
| garden. | | | | placement and use of materials is less flexible. |
| I noticed the small area gardens followed similar | | | | Some gardens seek to project an active image, |
| design principles e.g. stone, pebble, stepping | | | | e.g. an entry to a cafe; restaurant, office or place |
| stones, lantern, water presence or image, some | | | | of business and these require a composition of |
| plants but not cluttered, the garden enclosed by | | | | materials to reflect the desired mood. For |
| boundaries on two and generally three sides, | | | | example, water presence and its movement. |
| opening controlled through entry and viewing from | | | | Maybe lighting or minimisation of a landscape. |
| one side only, screening used appropriately. | | | | These gardens may not exhibit much Zen but |
| Obviously, a lot professionally designed and | | | | reflect gardens of visual appeal, vitality and |
| installed. Some have a small tree or larger plant | | | | aesthetic value. |
| e.g. bamboo, yet any plant has to be | | | | Light balance and its controlled use are important |
| proportionate with everything else. | | | | in small area gardens along with control of outside |
| Some gardens become confusing to the eye by | | | | impositions such as rain, wind and extremes of |
| having too many intrusions. They were cluttered. | | | | sunlight and shadow. Balance in shapes and colours |
| Too many elements and Zen discouraged by not | | | | also necessary. |
| allowing the mind to rest as it views the garden. | | | | Plant material and their use should be carefully |
| The garden needing to be a background thing. | | | | considered and important to get it right to ensure |
| Imposing in its reverence but not imposing in its | | | | their composition and structure remain in balance. |
| demands to be the central attraction. | | | | Plants selected for their hardiness and suitability |
| Placement to me offers a simplistic way to | | | | including colours and shapes, ability to be pruned |
| construct such gardens. That is collecting the | | | | and ease of maintenance. Remembering these |
| materials selected as suitable and within the design | | | | gardens rely on life, health and flow to be |
| curve. Taking them onto the site and installing | | | | successful. |
| them one at a time placing them into the | | | | |