Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #277727 in Books
• Published on: 1995-12
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 120 pages

From the Author
You CAN have your very OWN Japanese garden
I have set out to give western gardeners and home owners the practical advice they need to make their own Japanese garden - in their own local environment using readily available materials. I am not trying to impose a blueprint based on Japanese gardens in Japan.

I do believe that an appreciation of Japanese culture and a love of nature will help you to create a Japanese garden with "a Japanese soul". This is why I have included an introduction to the history and philosophy of Japanese gardens in the book. I hope it will inspire you to learn more about Japanese art and gain a greater appreciation of the peace and serenity Japanese gardens can give you.

But the book is first and foremost a practical guide with step-by-step instructions which are easy to follow, with drawings and photographs to illustrate the points made. I have included photographs of gardens I have designed myself during the last 20 years I have lived in Britain. I believe you can also enjoy the book if your interest in gardens is more general. I hope my book will give pleasure to all who read it.

Customer Reviews

A breath of fresh air that revitelises the creative impulse.
Over the last two years I have purchased quite a few books on this subject.During that time,and at present, I have been constructing a small Japanese garden on my own, A project that that seems is never going too end.This book is like an extra pair of hands on the job.Its illustations are excellent and very inspiring.Its small design drawings are a delight in themselves ,containing so little yet conveying so much.The step by step instructions are easily understood and not to difficult to carry out.Overall this work is very detailed and comprehensive.I only wish that I had had it when I first began my project. Very encouraging. For anyone who is thinking of building thier own Japanese garden,this is the book to go for.

Superbly illustrated
Wonderful book, with lots of illustrations, detailled drawings and plans - and an excellent coffee table addition also!
A very good place to start, if you want to plan your own japanese-style garden. Very good indeed.

I expected more
This book offers a few stunning pictures of genuine Japanese gardens. However, the garden examples created by the author do not generally inspire me so much. Part of the reason may be that the author seems to be stuck in a somewhat stereotypical idea of what elements should be present. Also, he for instance appears to use crushed white marble although he quite correctly states in the text that this material is cold and not so suitable. The feeling I get from his creations is one of a westernized "Disneyfied" version of the jap. garden; where the important spiritual element seems lost.