Zen Landscapes

Zen Landscapes PDF Author: Allen S. Weiss
Publisher: Reaktion Books
ISBN: 1780232314
Category : Gardening
Languages : en
Pages : 258

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Book Description
The essential elements of a dry Japanese garden are few: rocks, gravel, moss. Simultaneously a sensual matrix, a symbolic form, and a memory theater, these gardens exhibit beautiful miniaturization and precise craftsmanship. But their apparent minimalism belies a true complexity. In Zen Landscapes, Allen S. Weiss takes readers on an exciting journey through these exquisite sites, explaining how Japanese gardens must be approached according to the play of scale, surroundings, and seasons, as well as in relation to other arts—revealing them as living landscapes rather than abstract designs. Weiss shows that these gardens are inspired by the Zen aesthetics of the tea ceremony, manifested in poetry, painting, calligraphy, architecture, cuisine, and ceramics. Japanese art favors suggestion and allusion, valuing the threshold between the distinct and the inchoate, between figuration and abstraction, and he argues that ceramics play a crucial role here, relating as much to the site-specificity of landscape as to the ritualized codes of the tea ceremony and the everyday gestures of the culinary table. With more than one hundred stunning color photographs, Zen Landscapes is the first in-depth study in the West to examine the correspondences between gardens and ceramics. A fascinating look at landscape art and its relation to the customs and craftsmanship of the Japanese arts, it will appeal to readers interested in landscape design and Japan’s art and culture.

Zen Landscapes

Zen Landscapes PDF Author: Allen S. Weiss
Publisher: Reaktion Books
ISBN: 1780232314
Category : Gardening
Languages : en
Pages : 258

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Book Description
The essential elements of a dry Japanese garden are few: rocks, gravel, moss. Simultaneously a sensual matrix, a symbolic form, and a memory theater, these gardens exhibit beautiful miniaturization and precise craftsmanship. But their apparent minimalism belies a true complexity. In Zen Landscapes, Allen S. Weiss takes readers on an exciting journey through these exquisite sites, explaining how Japanese gardens must be approached according to the play of scale, surroundings, and seasons, as well as in relation to other arts—revealing them as living landscapes rather than abstract designs. Weiss shows that these gardens are inspired by the Zen aesthetics of the tea ceremony, manifested in poetry, painting, calligraphy, architecture, cuisine, and ceramics. Japanese art favors suggestion and allusion, valuing the threshold between the distinct and the inchoate, between figuration and abstraction, and he argues that ceramics play a crucial role here, relating as much to the site-specificity of landscape as to the ritualized codes of the tea ceremony and the everyday gestures of the culinary table. With more than one hundred stunning color photographs, Zen Landscapes is the first in-depth study in the West to examine the correspondences between gardens and ceramics. A fascinating look at landscape art and its relation to the customs and craftsmanship of the Japanese arts, it will appeal to readers interested in landscape design and Japan’s art and culture.

Zen Gardens

Zen Gardens PDF Author: Mira Locher
Publisher: Tuttle Publishing
ISBN: 1462910491
Category : Gardening
Languages : en
Pages : 224

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Book Description
Shunmyo Masuno, Japan's leading garden designer, is at once Japan's most highly acclaimed landscape architect and an 18th-generation Zen Buddhist priest, presiding over daily ceremonies at the Kenkoji Temple in Yokohama. He is celebrated for his unique ability to blend strikingly contemporary elements with the traditional design vernacular. He has worked in ultramodern urban hotels and in some of Japan's most famous classic gardens. In each project, his work as a designer of landscape architecture is inseparable from his Buddhist practice. Each becomes a Zen garden, "a special spiritual place where the mind dwells." This beautiful book, illustrated with more than 400 drawings and color photographs, is the first complete retrospective of Masuno's work to be published in English. It presents 37 major gardens around the world in a wide variety of types and settings: traditional and contemporary, urban and rural, public spaces and private residences, and including temple, office, hotel and campus venues. Masuno achieved fame for his work in Japan, but he is becoming increasingly known internationally, and in 2011 completed his first commission in the United States which is shown here. Zen Gardens, divided into three chapters, covers: "Traditional Zen Gardens," "Contemporary Zen Gardens" and "Zen Gardens outside Japan." Illustrated with photographs and architectural plans or sketches, each Zen garden design is described and analyzed by author Mira Locher, herself an architect and a scholar well versed in Japanese culture. Celebrating the accomplishments of a major, world-class designer, Zen Gardens also serves as something of a master class in Japanese garden design and appreciation: how to perceive a Japanese garden, how to understand one, even how to make one yourself. Like one of Masuno's gardens, the book can be a place for contemplation and mindful repose.

Zen Garden Design

Zen Garden Design PDF Author: Mira Locher
Publisher: Tuttle Publishing
ISBN: 1462922171
Category : Gardening
Languages : en
Pages : 300

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Book Description
Zen Buddhist priest Shunmyo Masuno understands that today's busy world leaves little time or space for self-reflection, but that a garden--even in the most urban of spaces--can provide some respite. In his words, "The garden is a special spiritual place where the mind dwells." With this in mind, Masuno has designed scores of spectacular Japanese gardens and landscapes with the aim of helping people achieve a balanced life in the 21st century. This book explores Masuno's design process and ideas, which are integral to his daily Zen training and teachings. It features 15 unique gardens and contemplative landscapes completed in six countries over as many years--all thoughtfully described and documented in full-color photos and drawings. Readers will also find insights on Masuno's philosophy of garden design and a conversation between the designer and famed architect Terunobu Fujimori. Zen Garden Design provides an in-depth examination of Masuno's gardens and landscapes--not just as beautiful spaces, but as places for meditation and contemplation.

Zen in Your Garden

Zen in Your Garden PDF Author: Jenny Hendy
Publisher: Godsfield Press
ISBN: 9781841811109
Category : Gardens
Languages : en
Pages : 128

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Book Description
This title seeks to help the reader create a garden that is a haven of tranquility by drawing on the principles of Zen aesthetics and by incorporating elements of Zen philosophy and symbolism into garden design. It shows how to design rock and water gardens which symbolize spiritual qualities.

Zen Gardening

Zen Gardening PDF Author: Sunniva Harte
Publisher: Pavilion Books, Limited
ISBN: 9781862054585
Category : Gardening
Languages : en
Pages : 160

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Book Description
Reflects the increasing interest in Eastern philosophies on the creation of natural balance in the garden; Provides detailed practical examples showing how to imbue your garden with the elements of harmony and peace; Gardens inspired by Zen are the ideal antidote to today's busy lifestyle - an oasis of calm and tranquillity - and require very little maintenance; Zen gardens are for contemplation, reflecting the beauty of nature and the aesthetic sense of the gardener. Originally created in Japanese monasteries around the twelfth century, their beauty comes from their simplicity and the precise arrangement of rocks, gravel, water and plants. Using as few or as many plants as required, Zen gardens also provide an eco-friendly alternative to the old-fashioned lawn, often requiring little or no water. For those with a limited area, Zen gardens create the illusion of space and freedom. Zen Gardening simplifies the principles of this art and reveals the meaning of the different elements, putting every aspect of creating a Zen garden at the hands of today's gardeners. Zen gardening need not mean ripping up your garden and starting from scratch. Nor need it involve replacing your lawn with

Japanese Zen Gardens

Japanese Zen Gardens PDF Author: Russ Chard
Publisher: Zenibo Marketing Limited
ISBN: 1909908029
Category : Gardening
Languages : en
Pages : 65

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Book Description
If you have ever wondered 'What is a Zen garden?' then this 50 page new publication for 2013 will tell you. Zen gardens are beautiful Japanese gardens steeped in history, religious meaning and a visual simplicity. There are many styles and many ingredients, Stones, Rocks, Moss, Sand, Gravel, Plants and Shrubs,Lanterns and Ornaments. Japanese Zen gardens is a book that introduces the reader to the subject and presents the options available for anyone wishing to build their own garden space at home - however large or small. Zen gardens are becoming more and more popular around the world and building one is not as difficult as you may think. With a little knowledge and following our step by step instructions with pictures you will discover how straight forward it is to build a Zen garden in your yard or garden. Japanese Zen gardens are serene havens of tranquil beauty and the perfect antidote to a stressful world. The author Russ Chard has written and published Japanese garden books, articles and videos for the past 10 years.

Japanese Zen Gardens

Japanese Zen Gardens PDF Author: Yoko Kawaguchi
Publisher: Frances Lincoln
ISBN: 9780711238718
Category : Gardening
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
'Beautifully illustrated, packed with fascinating insights' Robin Lane Fox in the Financial Times A new handbook-sized edition of Japanese Zen Gardens. Japan's iconic zen gardens are revealed in Alex Ramsay's specially commissioned photographs and their history and meaning is explored in Yoko Kawaguchi's learned text. The austere, enigmatic rock gardens of Kyoto, Japan’s ancient capital, have never ceased to fascinate garden lovers. Weather-­â? beaten rocks set in an expanse of white sand raked into geometric patterns challenge the idea of a garden as a space chiefly dedicated to the cultivation and appreciation of plants. How did the taste for this kind of garden arise? What do the stones represent? Why aren’t there more flowers?This book sets out to answer questions such as these. It explores the Zen characteristics of these gardens, and discusses the impact Zen Buddhism has had on the Japanese way of looking at the natural world. This book also shows how key traditional concepts, such as that of using the confined space of a garden to create a landscape in miniature, were reinterpreted in Zen temple gardens. It explores how they make use of traditional imagery, such as those of mountain and sea, and how they reflect that acute sensitivity to the passage of time and the changing of the seasons which characterizes so many other Japanese garden styles. Yoko Kawaguchi’s thoughtful and learned book illustrated with commissioned photography by Alex Ramsay, this book covers important examples of Japanese Zen temple gardens from the fourteenth century through to the twentieth century. It appeals to readers who are interested in gardens, garden design and garden history, as well as in Zen Buddhism and Zen aesthetics. It also serves as a useful reference book for travellers planning a trip to Japan to visit the country’s temples.

Designed Landscapes

Designed Landscapes PDF Author: Alan Tate
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
ISBN: 0429508441
Category : Architecture
Languages : en
Pages : 343

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Book Description
Designed Landscapes is a case-by-case study of 37 significant, existing works of landscape design worldwide, largely constructed since the Renaissance. Being an informative and easy-to-read reference volume for practitioners and students alike, it presents key precedents in landscape architecture using site plans and recent photographs to showcase each project. Organised and presented in 12 sections based on project type, each project is examined based on date, previous site condition, designer(s), design intentions, current composition, unique features, ownership and management, and comparable projects. Each chapter offers an insightful critique of the featured projects. Written by the authors of Great City Parks, the book posits that these carefully selected key projects have maintained their status throughout the ages because they express values and design intentions that continue to inform the practice of the landscape architecture in the present day. The book concludes with a ten-point summary of lessons for professional practice gleaned from the studies. Including a wide range of case studies from countries including many in western Europe, the United States, Canada, India, Japan and China, and lavishly illustrated with over 200 full-colour images, the book is a must-have volume for anyone interested in the history and current practice of landscape architecture.

Sacred Sites of Asia

Sacred Sites of Asia PDF Author: Anthony Parkinson
Publisher: Anthony Parkinson
ISBN: 1088290620
Category : Travel
Languages : en
Pages : 56

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Book Description
"Sacred Sites of Asia: Spiritual Journeys to Revered Temples and Monuments" is a captivating exploration of the profound spiritual and cultural heritage found across the diverse continent of Asia. This book, nestled within the "Travel and Exploration" genre, takes readers on a transformative voyage to some of the most revered and awe-inspiring temples and monuments in Asia. Within its pages, readers will embark on a soul-stirring pilgrimage, uncovering the rich tapestry of Asian spirituality, history, and culture. From the iconic temples of Japan to the ancient ruins of Cambodia, and from the majestic Himalayan monasteries to the sacred riverbanks of India, this book offers a vivid and immersive journey into the heart of Asia's most sacred sites. Each chapter is a doorway to a different world, where readers will discover the profound significance of these sites, their role in religious traditions, and the stories that have been woven into their stones over centuries. The book delves into the spiritual rituals, cultural practices, and historical contexts that make these places not only destinations for travelers but also sources of inspiration and reflection. "Sacred Sites of Asia" invites readers to witness the beauty of Asian art and architecture, experience the serenity of contemplative spaces, and gain a deeper understanding of the people and beliefs that have shaped these remarkable places. Whether you are a traveler seeking spiritual enlightenment, a history enthusiast, or simply curious about the wonders of Asia, this book provides a compelling and comprehensive guide to the continent's most sacred treasures.

Japanese Gardens

Japanese Gardens PDF Author: Seiko Goto
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1317411633
Category : Gardening
Languages : en
Pages : 194

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Book Description
The unique beauty of the Japanese garden stems from its spirituality and rich symbolism, yet most discussions on this kind of garden rarely provide more than a superficial overview. This book takes a thorough look at the process of designing a Japanese garden, placing it in a historical and philosophical context. Goto and Naka, both academic experts in Japanese garden history and design, explore: The themes and usage of the Japanese garden Common garden types such as tea and Zen gardens Key maintenance techniques and issues. Featuring beautiful, full-colour images and a glossary of essential Japanese terms, this book will dramatically transform your understanding of the Japanese garden as a cultural treasure.