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THE GARDEN OUTSIDE A CEREMONIAL TEA-ROOM "ROJI"

DEC.27.2015

 "Roji(露地)" is also called Cha-niwa(茶庭) and is the common name of a garden attached to a tea ceremony room. In Buddhism, It means the place of being free from worldly desires. The purpose of the tea ceremony is to entertain guests with tea. The guests free one’s mind from worldly desires, and enjoy the tea ceremony. 

 Therefore, Roji must be the garden which has a specific function in accord with the purpose.
 For instance, Sen-no-Rikyu(千利休) is a famous tea master, who invented Wabi-cha: reference to a past article SENSE OF BEAUTY "WABI”, which became the origin of modern tea ceremony. Rikyu created Roji which planted the tree we often see into a country-side mountain. He thought that Roji is not just a pathway to a tea room, but being able to get the function that guests should free from the noise of a city by representing of a country-side mountain in Roji. On the other hand Rikyu did it, but Oribe Huruta(古田織部) who is also a famous tea master entertained guests by planting exotic tree in his Roji.

 Roji has variation in the style of each school of tea ceremony to welcome guests.

CAMELLIA JAPONICA "TUBAKI"

DEC.20.2015

 【Camellia japonica】
 ・The tree is called "Tubaki(ツバキ,椿)" in japan.
 ・Tubaki is evergreen tree native to Japan, slow-growing and long living. It has a variety of species.
 ・We can see the camellia which flowered well in a Japanese garden at this time of year. It has a beautiful contrast between red flower Tubaki and white snow.
 ・A flower of camellia is loved by Japanese people from ancient times. More than six hundred years has passed since A camellia, called "Wabisuke" was planted at Ryoan-ji temple in Kyoto.

THE JAPANESE LANTERN "TORO"

DEC.13.2015

 Toro (a garden lantern:灯籠) is a kind of traditional Japanese lighting fixture. It was imported into Japan concurrently with Buddhism during the Asuka period(592～710 CE). It was made a lot in the Nara period(710～794 CE) when building lots of temples.
 The mainstream materials for Toro is granite, and especially a type of granite called "Mikageishi" is most commonly used for it.
 Each part of the stone lantern has a name. For example, “Hibukuro” refers to a part to place the light in, which constitutes the primary part of it.
 There are lots of types of Toro. I briefly introduce some of them. A “Kasuga” type Toro we frequently see at temples and Japanese gardens has a feature that “Hibukuro” is at the high position. And also, “Oribe” type Toro(above picture) is popular and famous.

COVERED TO OVERWINTER "HUYU-GAKOI"

NOV.28.2015

 Japanese garden trees and shrubs are covered during winter to protect them from weight of the snow and the cold. We call the cover “Huyu-Gakoi(冬囲い)”. There are many kinds that’s nice to look at; made by bamboos, straws, and so on. We can see it in snowy regions in Japan in particular.

 By the way, when you visit Japan, you may see a pine tree which is covered around the lower part of truck by straws. We called it “Komo-maki(こも巻き)”. That is to protect a pine tree from caterpillars climbing from the ground. The bark of pine tree has gaps. If do nothing, the caterpillars will enter the gaps to pass the winter and eat into the tree. So we cover a part of trunk and assemble them into "Komo-maki" style (as shown in the picture). Coming in spring, we will take the cover away from them.

 Skills which have been cultivated throughout history are being passed down today.

HOW TO GERMINATE SANSHO SEEDS

NOV.22.2015

 Thank you for emailing me, Marc-san.
 I write about how to germinate Sansho seeds in this article.
 Sansho (Japanese pepper; scientific name: Zanthoxylum piperitum) is one of the deciduous shrubs of Rutaceae, Zanthoxylum.
 The best season for seeding is about October after you gather Sansho seeds and plant them immediately. Or after gathering them, you save them not to dry, and you plant them in spring. Good seed has black color. This plant likes much nourishmed soil. So, it's better to mix leaf mold.
 I'm looking forward to your success. Thank you.

SEKIMORI-STONE

NOV.15.2015

 You walk around in japanese garden, you may see a stone like a picture.
 “Sekimori-stone”(関守石; called “Sekimori-isi” in Japan) is a stone which indicate that going on a walk is prohibited beyond the stone.
 Sekimori-stone has varieties of appearances and many way of making it.
 But it is popular to use a stone that is small and good shape. Also, to bind the stone up, we use ”Shuro-rope”(シュロ縄; called “Shuro-nawa” in Japan).

KENNIN-JI TEMPLE

NOV.8.2015

 Kennin-ji temple is the oldest Zen temple in Kyoto.
 It was founded in 1202(Kamakura period). Its building has a historical value too.

 I introduce two gardens of the temple in this article.
 ○△☐garden is like a courtyard, it is in small space, and consists of one tree and a little moss. But, as its name suggests, simple figures is hidden in the garden, in accordance with Zen thought. ○ is symbolic of “水”(water), △ is ”火”(fire), and ☐ is “地”(earth). I feel the fun in it.

 A main garden(called “Daiouen”), is a style of garden known as the “dry landscape garden”(Kare sansui). You can look the garden while sitting down. Pease enjoy and relax, I hope.

PODOCARPUS MACROPHYLLUS "INU-MAKI"

OCT.25.2015

 【Podocarpus macrophyllus】
 ・The tree is called ”Inu-maki(イヌマキ)” or ”maki(マキ)” in japan.
 ・Inu-maki is classified as evergreen needle leaved tree. But, the appearance of its leaf does not look like a needle. It features the leaf structue.
  ・it is distributed over relatively warm area. You may often see “Inu-maki” in Japanese gardens and temples in Kyoto.
  ・We cut “Inu-maki” like a photo, and also we sometimes plant the tree at the door front and make a shape like a pine-tree. Or we use the tree as a hedge.

JAPANESE GARDEN IN AUTUMN

OCT.18.2015

 Kyoto gets lots of visitors from all over the world throughout the year, particularly in the cherry blossom season and when the leaves turn colors in autumn.
 City of Kyoto is built in a basin, surrounded by mountains. The whole mountain glows (is ablaze) with autumnal colors. The color changes by progress of the time. That scenery is magnificent and beautiful.
 Speaking of the representative trees which turn autumnal colors, Maple tree(called “MOMIZI”,椛,モミジ),Ginkgo biloba(“ITYOU”,銀杏,イチョウ), Cherry blossoms(“SAKURA”,サクラ) and E.perulatus(“DOUDAN-TUTUZI”,灯台躑躅,ドウダンツツジ) are generally preferred.
 In November, I recommend to visit Japanese garden of Arashiyama area(ex. Tenryu-ji, Hougou-in ) or Ohara area(ex. Sanzen-in ).
 Colored leaves time is from November to the beginning of December.

SANZEN-IN TEMPLE

OCT.4.2015

 Sanzen-in temple is a Tendai Sect Buddhist temple located in Ohara, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City. The village of Ohara was a place Nembutsu(a person who trains to become a Buddhist) was practiced and aristocrats secluded themselves. Sanzen-in is accessible by bus.
 The temple has a good atmosphere. A garden of the temple makes a good harmony with mountain's nature. Like a photo, Moss covers the ground, Jizo(stone statue) and a pond make us feel more relaxed.
 Going up stairs, there are lots of Ajisai(Japanese hydrangea) planted. The Hydrangea blooms in middle of June. Flowering period is beautiful.
 You should take shoes that are easy to walk in.

PINE-TREE (PINUS)

SEPT. 27.2015

 There are 2 typical kinds of pine-tree (Pinus) that are often planted in Japan.
 One is Pinus thunbergii, called “KURO-MATU(クロマツ,黒松)”. Another one is Pinus densiflora, called “AKA-MATU(アカマツ,赤松)”.
 There are differences in those. KURO-MATU’s needle leaf is harder and sharper than AKA-MATU. And AKA-MATU’s bark is to become pink all over.
 The pine-tree must be trimmed twice (in spring and autumn) a year.
 We regard them as good luck charms. In Japan, pine branches hung on a gate, used as New Year's decorations. We called it “KADO-MATU(門松)”. There are regional differences in the style of the KADO-MATU.

IN PRAISE OF SHADOWS

SEPT. 20.2015

 Thank you for the reply, Abbie-san.
 It was content that she was interested in the SENSE OF BEAUTY "WABI" in detail.
 My English is maybe not plenty to explain it, so I would recommend a book. The book title is “In Praise of Shadows” (Japanese book title is “陰翳礼讃”), written by Junichiro Tanizaki, in 1977. There are things about the sense of beauty of Japan written in that. I think this sense is forgotten by us (modern Japanese people).
 The book was published in English. If you feel like it, please read it.

JAPANESE GARDEN IN THE RAIN

SEPT. 13.2015

 There is much rainfall in Japan.
 We have a lot of rain in June.
 Some Japanese gardens have functions which consider rainy day.
 For example, Suikinkutsu is a decoration device in a Japanese garden that generates a sound like Koto (Japanese harp) with drops of water. We can see Suikinkutsu at some temples at the present time; ex. Enkou-ji temple, Myoshin-ji temple (sub temple:Taizo-in).
 Another example, Aspidistra elatior (called “Haran”, in japan) is one of undergrowth which is often planted in japanese garden, especially near a building. This plant has a big leaf. So when we are inside a house, we can notice that it’s starting to rain by the sound of the rain hitting on the leaf. That is the reason why we plant it near a house in the past.
 At last, After raining, I recommend you visit a temple which has a garden of moss(ex. Sanzen-in, Saihou-ji temple). We can enjoy the bright green carpet which nature created.

TONASE-NO-TAKI (TONASE WATERFALL)

AUG. 30.2015

 "Tonase-no-Taki" is a waterfall near “Togetukyou”(Togetu bridge), at Arashiyama, in Kyoto.
  The waterfall was drawn on several old books.
  According to one of old books, we could see a superb view of the waterfall in old days from Tenryu-ji Temple.
  But now, most probably, The description of Tonase-no-Taki will not appear the description of Tonase-no-Taki in any guide books. And also most of Japanese people, even who lives near the waterfall, do not know what it is and where. Tonase-no-Taki disappeared from our memories without realizing.
  I think there are 3 reasons for that. 1: a quantity of the fall’s water decreased for canal construction. 2: we cannot go near the waterfall, the place is out-of-bounds. 3: the waterfall is covered by a forest. So we cannot see the waterfall from low spots.
  I regret that a historic valuable ground becomes outdated.
  A revival plan of the waterfall advances now. I hope to come the day that we can see Tonase-no-Taki as a historic valuable.

GINKAKU-JI (ZISHO-JI) TEMPLE

AUG. 23.2015

 A formal name of this temple is “Zisho-ji”, we often call the temple “Ginkaku-ji”. It was registered as a cultural site of world heritage.
 Ginkaku-ji, a Zen temple, was established in 1482(Muromachi-period) by Yoshimasa Ashikaga; he was the then general. It was said that this temple's garden was made by descendants of Zen-ami; he was a Japanese gardener at that time, but there is no absolute evidence.
 If you visit this temple, you may take notice of a mountain shaped by white sand. It is called “Kougetudai". From the old days in Japan, there is a custom that God comes down a mountain from the heaven. So it is the reason why it is shaped like a mountain.
 Proceeding along the path, there is spring water like a photo. There is no explanation in English in the field, but Yoshimasa Ashikaga always used its water when making a green tea by himself.
 And then proceeding further, you have a good view from height.

BOMBOO FENCE "TAKE-GAKI"

AUG. 9.2015

 “Take-gaki” means a fence made with bamboo. We can usually see it in Japanese garden.
 Bamboo grows all over Japan except Hokkaido. And it is easy to make handicrafts; in Japan, there are many handcrafts made of bamboo. Take-gaki is one of them.
 There are many kinds of Take-gaki. For example, Take-gaki of Kinkaku-ji temple has a form such as photo. That is Kinkaku-ji temple’s original design. In this way, sometimes, each temple has each style of Take-gaki. So please have your eyes on Take-gaki, when you visit at Japanese garden.
 And then, bamboo of Take-gaki is changed the color from green to yellow by time course. We have a liking for the color changing due to “Sabi” concept.

SENSE OF BUAUTY "SABI"

JULY 26.2015

 Sabi also represents an important Japanese aesthetic value. The word implies the combined elements of old age, loneliness, resignation and tranquility.
 More concretely, Sabi means the elegance that flows naturally from a simple, refined essence. For example, in case of japanese garden, japanese people prefer a rock which gathers moss by passed time, to a rock which was brushed cleanly.
 The concept of Sabi was fostered Matuo Basho(1644-1694), the leading Haiku master and his followers.

SENSE OF BUAUTY "WABI"

JULY 12.2015

 "Wabi" and "Sabi" are sense of beauty in Japan. This article is about Wabi.
 Wabi is the Japanese aesthetic of trying to find beauty in simplicity, and spiritual richness in frugality. For instance, the most famous green tea master, Sen-no-Rikyu (1522-1591); He had made some garden, valued decorating his tea hut with a single wild flower.
 In other words, Wabi is a philosophy based on enjoying separation and release from the materialistic world and attaining a peaceful state of mind. There are these senses in Japanese garden.

STEPPING STONES "TOBI-ISHI"

JULY 5.2015

 "Tobi-ishi" means stepping stones which are set in japanese garden.
 It is to protect moss from treading stress, and to not become dirty.
 There are various theories on the origin of Tobi-ishi, but it was used from Muromachi period(1338～) at least.
 Tobi-ishi has varieties of stone, and various ways of how to set stones. In Kyoto, "Kurama-ishi" is one of kind of famous stone.

RYOAN-JI TEMPLE

JUNE 21.2015

 Ryoan-ji is known for its rock garden. This internationally famous rock garden was said to be created at the end of Muromachi period(around 1500),by a highly respected Zen monk, Tokiho Zenketsu.
 This simple and remarkable garden has no trees that they are to be seen; only fifteen rocks and white gravel are used in the garden. You cannot see all of rocks from any angle; one of them invariably hid by another one.
 The walls behind the rock garden are made of clay boiled in oil. As time went by, the peculiar design was made of itself by the oil that seeped out. The western wall was made that gradually lowers from front side to the back.
 And, there is the oldest camellia called “Wabisuke”.

PRUNING SHEARS "SENTEI-BASAMI,KI-BASAMI,MEKIRI-BASAMI"

JUNE 14.2015

 I often use 4 types of pruning shears in work.
I wrote about “Karikomi-basami” last time.
This time, I write the remaining 3 types.
 At first, I would like to introduce “Sentei-basami” and “Ki-basami”. In general, we use them when trimming all trees in Japanese garden; using “Karikomi-basami” to just trimming topiaries. The difference between “Sentei-basami” and “Ki-basami” is the thickness of cutting branch.
When cutting slender branch (X＜1cm) use “Ki-basami”.
And thick branch (1cm＜X＜2cm) use "Sentei-basami".
Cutting anything thicker, we use saw.
 At last, we use “Mekiri-basami” when nipping off the shoots of a green pine; it is particular way to trim a green pine.

PRUNING SHEARS "KARIKOMI-BASAMI"

MAY 31.2015

 Pruning shears that I often use in work are 4 types.
This article, I write about one type of them. We call it "Karikomi-basami".
 "Karikomi" means "for topiary", and "basami" means "shears".
In japan, We often use Karikomi-basami at this season when azaleas finished blooming. A azalea is a low evergreen shrub, a family of Ericaceae. It is often planted in Japanese gardens.
 If you visit Japanese garden in this season, you may watch a gardener who is trimming it by Karikomi-basami.

THE GOLDEN PAVILION/KINKAKU-JI ROKUON-JI TEMPLE

MAY 24.2015

 The official name of this temple is "Rokuon-ji".But we usually call it "Kinkaku-ji".There are a pond with the golden pavilion and islands large and small in the center of the garden. Rocks donated by various provincial lords of the period are placed throughout the garden. As a pond garden designed for strolling, it is typical of Muromachi period. The garden is listed as a National Special Historic Site and Special Place of Scenic Beauty.
 After go past the golden pavilion, Go straight along the path, there are two places of spring water. One is said to be used for making green tea by Yoshimitu Ashikaga ; one of famous general of Muromachi period. Another one is for washing hands.
 And then there is a waterfall next to them. The style of rock arrangement is Ryumonbaku. It is easy to seem to shape of a carp.

JAPANESE GARDENER'S SHOES "JIKA-TABI"

MAY 17.2015

 I have often been asked by foreigner, "What is the name of these shoes?""Where can I get them?".
 The name of the shoes is "Jika-tabi". they are made of flexible cloth with a rubber sole. And they are light and not slippery.
 So, when I work in and climb a tree to cat it, Putting on them is very good. those are optimal shoes. If you want to buy them, you can get them at DIY store in Japan.

TENRYU-JI TEMPLE

MAY 10.2015

 Tenryu-ji temple is registered in the list of World Heritage in 1994. It was made by Soseki Muso. It had been rebuilt several times due to conflagrations. But it seems that waterfall's rock arrangement at the back of a pond remain since Kamakura period(1185-1333). We call the rock arrangement type "Ryumonbaku". It express the external appearance which a Carp is climbing up a waterfall. the meaning is "Getting knowledge of the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy is as so hard as climbing up a waterfall. So don't regret effort." Each stone has a meaning like a message or intention of the author.
 Tenryu-ji temple garden is "The Kaiyu style garden":it is one of Japanese garden style which circulating walking paths are provided for enjoying views of the garden. And then It is a large garden. If you will visit there,I recommend you taking shoes that are easy to walk in.

CLIMATE OF JAPAN AND JAPANESE GARDEN

MAY 3.2015

 Japan is an island that is slender form along longitude. Climate is different in the north area and the south area. In addition, the average temperature differs a lot between summer and winter in a same location; We have four seasons in Japan.
 Therefore, when planning and making japanese gardens somewhere, we have to consider what the best tree type at each area is. and also, we through a seasonal view of the planning garden. When visiting Japanese garden, It is one of interesting points that taking notice of what tree is planted there; Not only a rock arrangement and a atmosphere. Please more enjoy when you will visit to Japanese gardens.

AT THE BEGINNING

MAY 3.2015

 I write an article which is landscape gardening-related every one week from today. I hope I can speak and understand English well.
 Warm regards,

 Shohei

MAIL:shohei.jpn@gmail.com

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