Exploring the Temple Gardens of Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan
Japanese gardens are not beautiful by accident. Every detail is carefully considered, every plant and rock precisely placed. And the result is often stunning.
It was in Kyoto that I really came to appreciate the nuances of Japanese garden design. Gardens in Japan fall into two distinct categories: those that are to be experienced by walking around them, and those that are simply viewed from a building or veranda.
The former are usually called 鈥榮trolling gardens鈥�, Kaiyu-shiki teien. They incorporate a variety of elements, almost always including water in the shape of a 鈥榩ond and island garden鈥�. This is the oldest type of garden found in Japan. The islands in the pond are considered sacred spaces, representing heaven; they often have bridges linking them to the banks of the pond.
Gardens intended to be viewed from a veranda include 鈥榙ry landscape gardens鈥�, Karesansui. Sand or gravel is raked in a variety of ways to cover the ground, representing the ocean; Karesansui means 鈥榙ry mountain water鈥�. These gardens are particularly associated with Zen temples. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).
It was in Kyoto that I really came to appreciate the nuances of Japanese garden design. Gardens in Japan fall into two distinct categories: those that are to be experienced by walking around them, and those that are simply viewed from a building or veranda.
The former are usually called 鈥榮trolling gardens鈥�, Kaiyu-shiki teien. They incorporate a variety of elements, almost always including water in the shape of a 鈥榩ond and island garden鈥�. This is the oldest type of garden found in Japan. The islands in the pond are considered sacred spaces, representing heaven; they often have bridges linking them to the banks of the pond.
Gardens intended to be viewed from a veranda include 鈥榙ry landscape gardens鈥�, Karesansui. Sand or gravel is raked in a variety of ways to cover the ground, representing the ocean; Karesansui means 鈥榙ry mountain water鈥�. These gardens are particularly associated with Zen temples. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).
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Sights Featured in This Article
Guide Name: Exploring the Temple Gardens of Kyoto
Guide Location: Japan » Kyoto
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Insider Tips)
Author: Sarah Wilkie
Read it on Author's Website:
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
Guide Location: Japan » Kyoto
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Insider Tips)
Author: Sarah Wilkie
Read it on Author's Website:
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
- Tenryu-ji
- Sogen Pond
- Ryoan-ji
- Kyoyochi Pond
- Kinkaku-ji
- Golden Pavilion
- An-min-taku
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