Japanese stone gardens have been an object of fascination for foreigners for centuries. They have a mysterious simplicity that is both aesthetically pleasing and intriguing. I hope to examine the zen principles that form the stone garden, distinguishing conjecture from the historical evidence.
To provide a brief background, without spoiling my presentation-
Obviously, to understand the Japanese stone gardens you must understand the views from which they were founded; primarily Zen thought. Very generally, Zen thought is derived from Mahayana Buddhism, circulating around meditation. The garden is structured thus to elicit tranquility and guide the meditator to a higher state of calmness.
Now, after recognizing the 'purpose' of the garden, the second part in analysis is to examine the garden itself, identifying the elements that determine whether or not form does follow function. There are two basic, crucial components: large stones, and smaller ones. Their placement is not as random as they appear. The larger stones are the main object and the smaller stones used to guide the eye towards them, raked in strategic curves leading to them or encircling them, focusing the eye. The smaller stones are used to create a plane for the larger stone centerpieces to sit, and are utilized to make soothing lines around them in a clear path for the viewer to follow them. This process is soothing and results in the simple design before you.
In Sakuteiki, it is shown that the oldest Japanese garden manuals equate the creation of a garden with setting the stones. The fundamental principles, simplicity and calmness, I have summarized above, but the history that provoked the mediation that the garden is meant for is much more complex. There is little doubt that the use of stones and their reverence is rooted in Shinto belief, but the knowledge of stone worship in prehistoric Japan is limited. Stones and their placement are of major concern in garden design today probably because of their significance in the past. Their initial spiritual connection cannot be denied; poor placement was thought to lead to misfortune and illness.
There is clearly much more to the beautiful design than meet the eye.
Stay tuned for a more in-depth look at Japanese Stone Gardens and their significance at my presentation! Appreciation always grows with knowledge.
This sounds like a really interesting topic. I think your post was also very informative without giving too much away. I think that you have everything you're going to present very well thought out and well planned. Good Luck!
ReplyDeleteIsabella,
ReplyDeleteThis is a fascinating topic. It's also huge, so please try to avoid doing too much. The other potential pitfall is that there is a lot of well-intentioned nonsense written about gardens. I trust that you will exercise your good judgment. Of course, you've already narrowed the topic by focusing on stone gardens. I hope that you will look into the one at Ginkakuji in Kyoto, as well as the ones in the Daitokuji complex.
One interesting question that you may or may not be able to address is that of why they are so popular today with tourists, etc.? That is, people who do not practice Zen, or meditation. What is the appeal?
This is a really great topic, you'll have tons to work with, which it sounds like you already know. :) I'd definitely like to see how you incorporate the past and present into this. Good luck!
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