Landscaping Design - Japanese Landscape Design
About Japanese Landscape Design
A Summary on Japanese Landscape Designs
Japanese landscaped gardens are becoming increasingly popular where styles of such culture are being used for residential landscaping. The representation of Japanese landscape designs which are iterpreted through various natural elements and materials is a fundamental way that can create so much serenity, harmony, balance and even spiritual elements for home owners to spend time outdoors in a beautiful and natural environment with a meaningful purpose. In Japanese landscape designs there are several customary elements that are placed in the garden and the surroundings, where each element has a meaningful purpose and reason specifically to what they represent in Japanese culture. So, every time you set your foot into your Japanese garden and look at each element, you know there is a reason and somehow trigger your senses physiologically and emotionally. One of the main symbolic gestures of Japanese gardens is the respect of nature that we so often take for granted and to also remind us to appreciate nature.
Symbols of Japanese Landscaping
There are various natural elements to Japanese landscape designs that you can selectively choose to be incorporated into your design. The following are natural materials that are used in Japanese landscape designs and each element has a symbolic meaning:
- Water
- Rocks
- Stones
- Sand
- Plants and Trees
- Pathways
- Statue
- Ornaments
- Lanterns
- Bamboo Fencing
- Basins
- Bridge
- Gates
The symbol of water when used in Japanese landscape designs represents life and calmness and a reminder of just how important water is to mankind and the environment. Many Japanese gardens have water features which include ponds, fountains and stream applications that provide trickling sound of water which creates serenity and also symbolizes purity.
Rocks and Stones
Rocks and stones are also an important element in Japanese gardens as they symbolize mountains and islands. Mountains and islands are expressed as strength and endurance in Japanese culture. When using rocks or stones within the landscape design, they must be placed in odd numbers and grouped together in an arrangement of a triangular shape. Another way method is you can use rocks and stones as stepping stones for functional purposes. Plants and Flowers
With Japanese gardens, there are no specific plants and flowers that should be featured, so you can plant any plants and flowers you would prefer, as long as they are seasonal and blossom during that season. Minimal colors and a lot of green foliage are more suitable. Some of the more poplar flowers that are more commonly featured in Japanese gardens include: dahlias, asters, morning glory, hydrangeas and camellias.
Tree applications in Japanese landscape designs is need to be skillfully pruned, the following tree species are a great choice to use in the design aspects, they are: bamboo, pine, maple and cherry. The bonsai tree is a dwarf type tree which is often used in Japanese gardens.
The symbol of a bridge application in a Japanese garden represents the journey of life from one world to another. A bridge application is usually featured over a stream, gravel river or pond. If you do want to feature a bridge in your garden design, the bridge should be made of cedar.
Statues and Ornaments
Statues and ornaments are used to emphasize areas of the landscaping to create a point of interest and to also highlight the garden. Japanese landscape is a place of delicacy and statues and ornaments featured in the garden only add to the beauties of the landscape. Fencing and hedging surrounding the landscaping should not cause a distraction for the Japanese landscape so it is important to consider your fence or hedging structure as part of the overall design plan.
