Japanese Gardens: An Introduction
- Kevin Warren
- Apr 22
- 3 min read
Updated: May 7
Tradition, Aesthetics, and Symbolism
Japanese gardens (日本庭園, nihon teien) are among the most elegant and thoughtful expressions of landscape design in the world. More than just arrangements of plants and stones, these gardens are carefully crafted spaces that reflect deep philosophical and spiritual ideas. Drawing from Shinto, Buddhist, and Daoist traditions, Japanese gardens aim to capture the beauty of nature through balance, subtlety, and suggestion.
Origins and Early Influences
The earliest Japanese gardens were influenced by Chinese and Korean models introduced during the Asuka and Nara periods (6th–8th centuries). These early gardens, built around aristocratic homes, followed the shinden-zukuri style. They featured large ponds, man-made islands, and decorative pavilions—symbolizing paradise or idealized natural worlds in harmony with human life.
In the 11th century, a landmark text called the Sakuteiki (“Records of Garden Making”) was written by Tachibana no Toshitsuna. It remains one of the oldest surviving manuals on landscape design. Rather than offering strict rules, it emphasized sensitivity to the site, poetic placement of stones (*ishi wo tateru koto*), and harmony with natural shapes and flows. These ideas became the foundation of Japanese garden design for centuries to come.
The Impact of Religion on Garden Design
As Buddhism spread throughout Japan, garden design evolved alongside it. During the Heian and Kamakura periods (9th–13th centuries), Pure Land Buddhist gardens were created to represent Amida Buddha’s Western Paradise. These featured lotus ponds, symmetrical layouts, and decorative architecture meant to inspire thoughts of spiritual rebirth.
Princess Kazunomiya, Zojo-Ji Temple, Tokyo. Konchi-In Temple, Kyoto. Photos by Kevin Warren
Later, the influence of Zen Buddhism brought a very different kind of garden to life. Karesansui (dry landscape) gardens, most famously from the Muromachi period (14th–16th centuries), used minimal elements—raked gravel, stones, and moss—to create abstract, meditative spaces. The garden at Ryōan-ji in Kyoto is a classic example, where empty space and careful arrangement invite quiet reflection and a deeper understanding of the unseen.
The Role of Nishikigoi (Koi Fish)
Within this rich garden culture, nishikigoi—ornamental koi fish—emerged as living symbols of beauty and movement. While common carp had existed in Japan for centuries, it wasn’t until the early 1800s that farmers in Niigata Prefecture began breeding them for color and pattern. These “brocaded carp” became known as nishikigoi (錦鯉) and were soon treasured for their vivid hues of red, white, black, yellow, and blue.
Koi became especially popular in chisen (pond) gardens during the late Edo and Meiji periods. Watching them glide through the water beneath maple leaves or stone bridges added a sense of life and seasonal change to the garden. Symbolically, koi represent strength, endurance, and transformation—linked to a Chinese legend in which a carp swims upstream and becomes a dragon. Their presence echoes Zen ideas of calmness beneath the surface and beauty within simplicity.
By the 20th century, nishikigoi had gained worldwide admiration and became icons of Japanese culture. Today, they are bred with careful attention to genetics and artistry, often displayed in gardens as a sign of tradition, beauty, and harmony with nature.
Styles and Aesthetic Principles
Japanese garden design continued to grow through the Momoyama (1573–1600) and Edo (1603–1868) periods. One major development was the chisen kaiyū-shiki teien—a stroll garden designed to be experienced step by step. These featured winding paths, scenic views, waterfalls, teahouses, and borrowed scenery (*shakkei*) that visually incorporated nearby mountains or forests.
Another important style was the roji, or tea garden, used in the tea ceremony (*chanoyu*). These gardens were simple and rustic, guiding guests along a quiet path to a tea hut. The roji reflects the ideals of wabi-sabi—an appreciation for imperfection, transience, and subtle beauty.
Despite the variety in styles, all Japanese gardens follow key aesthetic principles. Designers favor suggestion over boldness and aim for balance between built and natural elements. Concepts like ma (the space between), yūgen (a sense of mystery), and shibui (understated elegance) guide decisions on where to place stones, prune trees, or add lanterns. Everything is chosen to feel natural and harmonious, not forced or artificial.
The Garden as a Living Work of Art
In every Japanese garden, nature is not controlled—it is revealed. These spaces are designed to change with the seasons, reflect the light, and stir quiet emotions. Whether it’s a Zen courtyard of gravel and rock or a pond filled with vibrant koi, the garden becomes a place for stillness, wonder, and connection to something deeper.
Today, Japanese gardens continue to inspire people around the world. They remain a powerful symbol of how beauty can be created not through excess, but through intention, restraint, and respect for the rhythms of nature.
All Photos by Kevin Warren
