Japanese Gardens by Russ Chard

Author:Russ Chard
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781909908017
Publisher: Zenibo Marketing Ltd
Published: 2013-04-15T00:00:00+00:00

Nearly all ornaments in Japanese gardens have religious connotations. Perhaps the most famous and instantly recognisable are lanterns.

Over the centuries many of the varieties of lanterns have been named after Japanese Tea masters and each lantern is different.

The top of a lantern –the Hoju or jewel top is a symbol of enlightenment which it is fair to say is true of all lanterns.

You will notice at the bottom of the lanterns there is usually a Lotus symbol, this can be found below the ‘fire’ area. The Lotus was actually used by Buddha himself in teachings hence its importance.

In some gardens you will see Tea basins for purifying water- this is a symbol of life.

Stupas will also be in evidence and they always point to the sky and the after-life.

On first viewing, you may think it odd that a frog figurine is in a Japanese or Zen garden but there is a reason for it. This is Basho’s frog from the famous poem on his own enlightenment:

Old Pond,

Frog Jumps in,

Splash!!

The splash in the poem represents his realization and understanding of his own enlightenment.

Gates in Japanese gardens are very similar in meaning to bridges, exiting one plane and reaching another. Sometimes fences are built these are useful to compartmentalise the garden whilst not spoiling its overall look.

In fact, the phrase ‘to go through a gate’ is a metaphor for becoming a monk. The Zen influence at work once again in garden design.

Zen says that worlds can be present in rain or dew drops so the compartmentalising of a garden ties in with this belief. Japanese gardens and Zen will be forever linked and demonstrate peace and enlightenment.

Dogen famously wrote of enlightenment:

“Enlightenment is like the moon reflected on water. The moon does not get wet, nor is the water broken. Although its light is wide and great, the moon is reflected even in a puddle an inch wide. The whole moon and entire sky are reflected in dewdrops on the grass, or even in one drop of water.”

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