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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.

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