Zen
Principles which relate to the Niwa
A
Japanese Garden is a representation of the universe
and its elements: Fire in the form of a
stone or iron lantern, Earth in the form
of stone, and water, air, plant,
and animal life in their true forms.
Gardens
essentially divide between the dry landscape and
the pond garden types. Even in a dry garden there
is always some water, notably in dripping basins
or suggested by waterfall chains from the down
spouts.
The
garden path, or roji, is not merely a functional
entry into the garden. It is a philosophical path
separating the viewer step-by-step from the work-a-day
world which he leaves behind. Its stones are placed
with careful irregularity and lead indirectly
rather than directly to often hidden or obscure
places. Bends in the path, or larger stones, are
stopping points for vistas or views, representing
meditative pauses in the personal experience of
contacting the universe via the garden experience.
Stones
generally form the basic supporting framework
of a Japanese garden,and they should look as though
they had always lived in the spot in which one
sees them. Jagged stones are used to suggest mountain
areas and water-worn pebbles are used in stream
courses and along shorelines. These landscape
effects are often more symbolic than realistic.
For example, there is generally an island in either
a stream or pond which suggests the island of
everlasting life, or Nirvana - a place without
time or space of ultimate retirement in peace
and tranquillity. Its symbols may be a stone representing
a turtle, or a tree form representing a crane
- symbols of longevity and the good life - and
such additional happiness symbols as the shochikubai
or three friends of the new year consisting of
pine, bamboo and plum. Some of these symbols are
entirely abstract in their form.
A
Japanese Garden is not planted with the idea of
presenting a display of flowers. The Japanese
often enjoy their gardens most in the austere
conditions of winter when the trees are bare and
the foliage is at a minimum. They often trim camellias,
azaleas, and other flowering shrubs so as to produce
a minimum of flowers. Flowers are never used in
beds or borders. In fact, a severe discipline
governs the use of flowers which are used at only
one point in the house, the tokonoma, a special
architectural alcove built for the purpose. Fresh
flowers or plant materials are never used decoratively
on the dining table or at odd points about the
house; never worn as corsages; never used at weddings
or funerals. Essentially as a matter of philosophy,
flowers and plants are considered to have a very
special life of their own as an expression of
nature and are never used as decorations.
The
principles which govern these aspects of the garden
come from the philosophy of Zen and they can mean
not only one thing alone, but may have correlative
meanings at the same time. No one principle therefore
necessarily contains the whole meaning on its
own.
