Zen and the Art of Japanese Garden Design

The Japanese garden is an integral part of the Japanese culture, and gardening is seen as an activity to achieve not only a beautiful garden but also to achieve a feeling of peace and harmony. This may be the only calming aspect that a person has in their daily, hectic lives. Japan is a highly overpopulated country, which means that many citizens do not have a large area for gardening. However, a good solution to this is to create a miniature garden using the bonsai art.

When one is creating the Japanese garden one must understand a few basic concepts. The main thing to remember is that all gardens that are authentic Japanese require three basic elements. These elements are water, stone and some green. The Japanese believe that water is equal to life. The water must also flow from east to west, just as the sun rises and sets. Stones are a critical piece of the garden because they act as the peace element. The stone is placed by humans when making the garden, but it must look as if it has been there for decades. Green is another element in the garden, but the emphasis is placed more on the rocks and water than on the greenery.

At the bonsai section of http://www.gardening-guides.com then they can find a variety of bonsai items that teach one how to keep these delicate trees alive while keeping the idea of the Japanese art form intact.

The Japanese garden is one that has been recreated several times over. For centuries, the Japanese have relished their gardens and all that they have to offer a person. From the sanctity and seclusion that one can have from being with nature, to the calmness that can be brought to one's spirit, these elements can be incorporated into one's life.

Landscaping specialist Barbara Wibault has a special interest in
bonsai fig trees and can be found at the
landscape design section from gardening-guides.com