Infinite Spaces: The Art and Wisdom of the Japanese Garden; Based on the Sakuteiki by Tachibana no Toshitsuna

By Julie Moir Messervy, Joe Earle and Sadao Hibi

Based on classical Japanese writings, this Zen gardening book is full of insightful commentary and lush photographs.

Japanese gardens have long been admired for their capacity to improve on nature through impeccable design, detail, and composition: properties that elevate them from mere gardens to sacred spaces. The Sakuteiki, literally "notes on garden design," by the eleventh-century courtier and poet Tachibana no Toshitsuna laid out the original principles that shaped the design of these gardens. A distillation of centuries of garden design, the Sakuteiki remains a vital influence for garden makers in Japan today.

Infinite Spaces pairs extracts from the Sakuteiki with inspiring images that beautifully illustrate the principles of this ancient work. Sadao Hibi's superb photographs capture some of Japan's best-known gardens--from austere compositions in stone and gravel to richly planted landscapes. The photographs express the extraordinary beauty and diversity of one of the world's most ancient and revered styles of gardening. Discover a treasure trove of practical advice and philosophical insight on building and maintaining pools, lakes, and streams; arranging stones for the most natural and harmonious effect; and designing water features and placing stones to welcome auspicious deities while excluding malevolent influences.

Japanese gardening topics include:

• Principles of Garden Design
• Pools and Lakes
• Waterfalls
• Streams
• Trees and Mounds
• Good and Evil
• Stones

This timeless visual artistry of the gardens and the specific design techniques will inspire you to create magnificent garden sanctuaries in your own backyard.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tuttle Publishing
• Release date: Apr 19, 2018
• ISBN: 9781462919734

Book preview

Ryoanji temple, Kyoto

Enman'in shrine, Shiga

Jizoin shrine, Mie

This new edition first published in 2013 by Tuttle Publishing, an imprint of Periplus Editions (HK) Ltd.

www.tuttlepublishing.com

English language translation of Sakuteiki and introductory note copyright © 2000 by Joe Earle

Photographs copyright © 2000 by Sadao Hibi

Introduction copyright © 2000 by Julie Moir Messervy

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior written permission from the publisher.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data in process

ISBN 978-4-8053-1269-8; ISBN 978-1-4629-1973-4 (ebook)

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Kenrokuen garden, Ishikawa

Contents

Introduction

Principles of Garden Design

Pools and Lakes

Waterfalls

Streams

Trees and Mounds

Good and Evil

Stones

Jojuin shrine, Kiyomizudera