What is a Japanese zen garden called?
While dry landscape gardens are sometimes referred to as Zen gardens, it is more accurate to refer to them as karesansui. In Japan, this style of garden is often part of a Zen monastery, such as the famous Ryoan-ji in Kyoto. This article introduces Japan’s three most famous gardens: Kenroku-en, Koraku-en, and Kairaku-en. These gardens came to be known as the “Three Great Gardens of Japan” around the end of the 19th century, though it is not known who originally came up with this name.
How do I start my own Zen garden?
Consider putting your garden in an area you can see from inside your home. Choose a flat site that gets sun or shade, depending on the kind of plants you want to grow. Keep in mind that traditional Zen gardens don’t use many plants. Level the ground for your garden with a rake and remove stones, roots or other debris. Selecting rocks for a Zen garden is an exercise in mindfulness itself. Consider the texture, size, and color of each rock. Textural contrast can add depth and interest, while the size should complement the scale of the garden space.
What are the top 3 Japanese gardens?
The aesthetic sense of old Japan lives on in its three most famous gardens. Japan’s “three great gardens”—Kairakuen, Kenrokuen, and Kōrakuen—were all created by daimyō (feudal lords) during the Edo period (1603–1868). The sense of beauty from centuries past still has the power to inspire today. Kenrokuen means “garden that combines six characteristics. These six characteristics are spaciousness, seclusion, artifice, antiquity, water sources and magnifient views. Not every garden in Japan can combine all of these features but Kenrokuen does.