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Japanese Garden Design

by Marc Peter Keane

A history of Japanese garden forms and ideas

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Awards & Recognition

  • Author recognition

    The New York Times praises Marc Peter Keane as “the undisputed American master of Japanese garden scholars”

    The source quotes the New York Times calling Marc Peter Keane “the undisputed American master of Japanese garden...

AlbakiReads Editorial

A history of Japanese garden forms and ideas

Marc Peter Keane surveys the development of Japanese garden design through the ideas and forms that have shaped it. The book connects concepts from Confucian, Shinto, and Buddhist traditions with gardens ranging from Heian aristocratic settings and Zen temple rock gardens to tea gardens, private courtyard spaces, and Edo-era stroll gardens. Its chapters explain the symbolism and design principles associated with these different forms, and how those principles remain in use. The scope makes the book both a historical overview and an introduction to the thinking behind Japanese gardens, with attention to the relationship between nature, aesthetics, and structure.

Good fit for readers who enjoy

  • People seeking an overview of Japanese garden history and design principles
  • Gardeners and landscape-design enthusiasts interested in Japanese styles
  • Visitors to Japan curious about the cultural context of its gardens

Themes

Japanese garden historyNature, aesthetics, and structureConfucian, Shinto, and Buddhist influencesGarden symbolism and design principles

Based on publisher information and book metadata.

Book overview

"Marc Peter Keane is the undisputed American master of Japanese garden scholars; he is also an educator and garden designer in his own right. Two of his previous books Japanese Garden Design and The Art of Setting Stones are indispensable." --The New York Times

In Japanese Garden Design landscape architect Marc Peter Keane presents a complete overview of the history and development of the principles that underlie all Japanese gardens--a respect for nature combined with profound concepts of aesthetics and structure.

Keane is one of the world's leading designers of Japanese-style gardens and he describes in detail the historical influences of Confucian, Shinto and Buddhist ideas that have linked poetry and philosophy to the tangible forms of gardens in Japan. Creative inspiration is found in prehistoric Japanese conceptions of nature, gardens of the Heian-era aristocrats, world-renowned Zen Buddhist temple rock gardens and tea gardens; compact courtyard gardens and large-scale Edo-era stroll gardens.

Detailed explanations of these basic forms identify and interpret the symbolism and principles behind them and explain how they are still in active use today. Topics covered include:
  • Early Gardens: Poetry in Paradise
  • Gardens of the Heian Aristocrats
  • Zen Gardens: The Art of Emptiness
  • The Tea Garden: A Spiritual Passage
  • Tsubo Gardens: Private Niches
  • Edo Stroll Gardens: A Collector's Park

Filled with gorgeous photographs and expert text by a leading garden designer, this book explains the theory and practice of Japanese gardening from an insider's point of view. It will be treasured by all Japanese garden lovers and visitors to Japan.
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