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7/26/2019 L Arch Magazine
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ELEMENTSTHE BASIC COMPONENTS OF A JAPANESE GARDEN
WRITTEN BY DANIELLE ALEXANDRINE MADRIAGA
ILLUSTRATIONS BY RAMIR SERAPHIM ANGELES & ALEXIS DECLARO
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ENTRANCE
TORII
The Toriiis a traditional Japanese gate commonly foundat the entrance of a Shinto shrine. It translates literally tobird abode in English. This is due to the fact that birdsusually perched on top of the Torii. A more importantreason, though, is the Japanese belief of birds having aconnection with the dead; the Torii, as a bird abode,
keeps evil spirits away.
Theories are also offered of the Torii being created inconnection with some prehistorical funeral rite. Thiswould make sense since birds are believed to havemagic or spiritual properties in many Asian cultures
The Japanese regard the Torii as the boundary between
the spiritual and human world. The first Torii wasconstructed in 1168 and was bui lt 200 meters offshore.
BAMBOO FENCE
A simple bamboo fence is also used at the entranceand around the perimeter of the garden to block viewsfrom the outside world. In the absence of a Torii, afence marks the start of the garden. It is made clear
with a gate and an arbor.
INSIDE
TORO
A toro, translating literally to light tower, is a traditionallantern made of stone, wood, or metal. Lit lanternswere considered an offering to Buddha, and thus,were originally used in Buddhist temples, where theylined and illuminated paths. In present day, however,
they are also used in Shinto shrines and privatehomes.
The Toro can be classified into two main types: (1) thetsuri-doro, translating literally to hanging lamp, whichusually hangs from the eaves of a roof and (2) the dai-doro, translating literally to platform lamp, which iscommonly used in gardens and along the approach of ashrine or temple. The two most common types of dai-
doroare the bronze lantern and the stone lantern.
The Toro can be classified into two main types: (1) thetsuri-doro, translating literally to hanging lamp, whichusually hangs from the eaves of a roof and (2) the dai-doro, translating literally to platform lamp, which iscommonly used in gardens and along the approach of a
shrine or temple. The two most common types of dai-doroare the bronze lantern and the stone lantern.
The Toro can be classified into two main types: (1) thetsuri-doro, translating literally to hanging lamp, whichusually hangs from the eaves of a roof and (2) the dai-doro, translating literally to platform lamp, which iscommonly used in gardens and along the approach of a
shrine or temple. The two most common types of dai-doroare the bronze lantern and the stone lantern.
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In its complete form, the dai-doro represents theelements of Buddhist cosmology: (1) The bottom-mostpiece, touching the ground, represents chi, the earth.(2) Suior water, the next section of the lantern (3) Kaorfire, represented by the section encasing the light orflame of the lantern (4) Fu or air, and Ku or spirit,
represented by the two topmost sections, pointingtowards the sky
The segments express the idea that after death, ourphysical bodies will go back to their original, elementalform.
BRIDGES
Japanese gardens that include bodies of water withislands generally include bridges. These bridges couldbe built of either wood or stone. In the Heian Period,Japanese gardens had large boating ponds, and thus,some of the bridges used were arching structures inorder to allow the passage of boats beneath them. Inlater gardens, ponds became significantly smaller, and
boats could no longer be accommodated. Bridges thusbecame simple slabs of stone, used mainly fordecorative purposes.
Some bridges also form a zigzag pattern. TheJapanese built this type of structure to protect themfrom evil spirits. Japanese myth has it that evi l spiritscan only travel in a straight line, so the bridge trapsthem, allowing one to escape to safety.
POOLPools or bodies of water, in general are a centralelement of most gardens and often represent real ormythical lakes or seas. Sometimes, they provide ahabitat for carps (koi), which introduce additional colorand life to the garden.
TSUKUBAI
The tsukubai is a stone water basin, used for ritualcleansing, especially ahead of tea ceremonies.Traditionally, they were only simple depressions in uncutstone. Eventually, the Japanese started creatingelaborately carved structures, complete with a bamboo
dipper for scooping up water. Nowadays, they are usedmostly for decorative, instead of practical, purposes.
SHISHO-ODOSHI
The shisho-odoshi translates directly to scare the deer.However, in a wider sense, it is also used to scare awaybirds and other beasts that damage vegetation. Theshisho-odoshi is a device, a type of water fountain madeout of bamboo. It consists of a segmented tube, pivoted to
one side of its balance point. At rest, its heavier end isdown and resting on a rock. Water trickles into the upperend, and accumulates there, eventually causing the deviceto pivot and dump out the water. The heavier end then fallsback against the rock and makes a sharp sound. Thisnoise startles the animals away. Then, the cycle repeats.The shisho-odoshiis also called the sozu.
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STONE PATHWAY
TREES
In Chinese and Japanese thought, the pinea treeoften twisted and bent by the elements during along lifewas a particular metaphor for the agedindividual who has stood the tests of time and fate,an interpretation expressed in many paintings. It isnot surprising, therefore, to see Japanese
gardeners carefully training and pruningevergreens to conform to this image of the ancientand noble tree. The pine was also considered one ofthe "Three Friends of Winter," the other two beingthe bamboo and the flowering plum. The reasoningbehind this association was that the pine andbamboo sustain their foliage through the winter andthe plum blooms when there is still snow on the
ground.
STONES
Pathways became an integral part of Japaneseg a r d e n s w i t h t h e i n t r o d u c t i o n o fstrolling and tea gardens. Strolling gardens featurecircular paths constructed of stepping stones,crushed gravel, sand or packed earth, which arecarefully prescribed to lead visitors to the best -albeit controlled - views of the garden. Windingpaths also serve to segregate different areas, suchas an isolated grove or hidden pond, from eachother so that they may be contemplatedindividually.
Stoneslarge and smallare a major componentof most Japanese gardens, and must have beenimportant from the very beginnings of gardendesign. As Takei's and Keane's recent translation of
the Sakuteiki points out, the opening line of thatoldest of Japanese garden manuals equates thecreation of gardens with the setting of stones. The"meaning" and the aesthetic appeal of gardenstones have been the subjects of much analysis bythe students of these gardens, but it is acontroversial topic. There can be little doubt that theuse of stones and the reverence shown them haveroots in Shinto belief, but the exact nature of stone
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IMP CT
The influence of Japanese Landscape
rchitecture on UPD
Written by Danielle lexandrine Ma driaga
Photographe d by Karlo Daniel Colegio
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College of Fine Arts
Pictured in Left Leaf
Bamboo
One can encounter bamboo almost
everywhere in Japan. Timber bamboo isused to build houses, roofs, scaffolding,windows, blinds and fences. Bambooproducts are a part of the Japaneselifestyle from chopsticks to brooms,from flutes to brushes, from fans to teascoops.
Bamboo has many uses in a Japanese
garden. It is grown as an ornamental plant,but also serves as an important structuralcomponent, in that they are used to buildthe fences and gates to the garden. Theyare also believed to conjure up thoughts ofpeaceful and relaxing atmospheres.
In the Japanese garden of the College ofF in e A r t s , t h e b a m b o o is u s e dornamentally.
Rocks
In Japanese gardens, rocks are commonlyused as symbols. They may stand formountains Horai, in particular, thelegendary home of the Eight Immortals inBuddhist mythology. Rocks may alsosymbolize boats or living creatures,usually in the form of a turtle or carp.
The Garden PathPathways help define the Japanesegarden, serving as a guide to importantviewing points or features. They are often
spaced to control the pace of movementwithin the garden.
In Japan, most ideals are generallydivided into Shin or formal, Gyo
orordinary, or Soor informal.
The stone pathway used by the Collegeof Fine Arts is considered Gyo-so.
Moss
Moss is one of the signature plants ofJapanese gardens. Given the rightconditions, it can cover large areas,
growing on stones and trees. The reasonmoss grows on nearly every available
surface is in its biological structure. If theair humidity is 80% or higher, the leavesare able to absorb humidity and
nutrients directly from the air. It alsoabsorbs pollutants like nitrates and
ammonia, cleaning the air. Moss canalso survive long periods of drought.Although it may look dead, the plant is
still alive; the leaves will return to greenafter the moss has been watered.
Moss makes the perfect groundcover in
moist, shady areas of the Japanesegarden.
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Bonsai
Bonsai is the ancientart of growing andkeeping miniaturet r e e s . I t l i t e r a l l y
translates to trayplanting. Bonsai treesare not geneticallydwarfed plants butare rather normalplants, trained usingtechniques to keep
them smal l . Th isincludes basics likeregular pruning and
w i r i n g , b u t a l s oinclude advanced
o n e s s u c h a screating deadwood.They are traditionallystyled to reflect manyc o m m o n n a t u r a l
situations.
To the Japanese, there
is a link from Bonsai tomany of the ideals thattheir society is based
on. Zen Buddhism,where the pastimeo r i g i n a t e d , m a n ,nature, elements andchange are intertwined
to this unique methodof meditation andexpression.
More rock formationsComponent of a project at the
College of Architecture
College of Architecture
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Japanese Stone Lanterns The proper term for a Japanese traditional lantern is toro. They can be made from stone, wood or metal
Japanese stone lanterns were first used in ancient Shinto shrines where they illuminated paths. Lit lanterns were considered an offering to
Buddha. Eventually, they started being used in private homes as well. Toros can be classified into two main types, the tsuri-doro, whichusually hang from the eaves of a roof, or the dai-doro, which is used in gardens and along the approach of a shrine or temple.
This stone lantern, found at the ZenRock Garden of the College of
Architecture, is a dai-doro.
A bamboo-looking bonsai, a project atthe College of Architecture
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ARKYOTO The Zen Rock GardenBy Danielle Alexandrine MadriagaPhotographed by Karlo Daniel Colegio
Brief History
The Muromachi Period in
Japan, which took place at roughly the sametime as the Renaissance in Europe, wascharacterized partly by political rivalries, butalso by an extraordinary flourishing of Japaneseculture. One of these cultural developments was
the creation of the zen garden.
Zen Buddhism was introduced into Japan at theend of the 12th century, and achieved a widefollowing among the Samurai class andwarlords, who admired its doctrine of self-discipline. The gardens of the early zen temples
in Japan resembled Chinese gardens of thetime, with lakes and islands. But in Kyoto in the
14th and 15th century, a new kindof garden appeared at the zentemples. These zen gardens weredesigned to stimulate meditation.
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Elements of a Zen Rock Garden
A Zen garden illustrates the influences ofBuddhism to form a spiritual landscape thatis more than simply a delight for the eyes.Creating a Zen garden combines principlesof nature with traditional Eastern spiritual
beliefs.
Opposites. Yin and yang is a Buddhistbelief often reflected in Zen gardens.Opposites are relatively easy to installin the garden. Consider vertical featureslike trees and set beside horizontal
features like a path of flat river stones.
Rocks, gravel and sand. Zen rock gardens aredry; using water elements is not possible.Rocks, gravel, or sand are used to mimic themovement and fluidity of water. Plants.Traditionally, zen gardens should be devoid of
plant life. However, moss or small plants can
add a splash of color and spice up the design.