Bamboo Fences in the Japanese Garden – Tall and Low（竹垣）
Discover how tall and low bamboo fences guide movement and define space with quiet elegance
In Japanese gardens, fences are more than just boundaries—they shape the way visitors move, look, and feel within the space. While walls appeared earlier in Japanese architecture, fences only began to flourish during the Kamakura period (1185–1333). Since then, they have become a vital part of garden design, both in grand estates and smaller tea gardens.
Bamboo stands out as the material of choice. Its lightness, strength, and flexibility allow for an astonishing variety of designs, from imposing screens to delicate enclosures. Although bamboo weathers quickly—especially when exposed to water or soil—it ages gracefully, blending beautifully into the landscape as the seasons pass.
Tall bamboo fences define the garden’s perimeter, shielding views and creating calm, enclosed spaces. They serve practical purposes, yet never sacrifice elegance. These structures mark transitions between worlds—between the cultivated and the wild, the private and the public.
Low bamboo fences, on the other hand, guide the visitor within the garden. Known as sukashi-gaki（透垣）, these see-through fences invite curiosity. One can glimpse what lies beyond, but not enter—a subtle encouragement to pause and reflect. Other styles include shikiri-gaki（仕切垣）, which divide zones within the garden, and ashimoto-gaki（足元垣）, ankle- to knee-high barriers that line paths and protect delicate moss or grass.
This two-part eBook explores how bamboo fences—both tall and low—express the Japanese garden’s core philosophy: harmony between structure and nature, control and freedom. Whether framing a vista or softly directing a step, these fences quietly shape the garden experience.
Read more in our eBook!
Tall Fences in the Japanese Garden
Bamboo Fences – Part 1 explores tall bamboo fences in Japanese gardens—how they’re made, how they function, and how they age.
Learn more before your visit—or revisit from home.
Low Fences in the Japanese Garden
Bamboo Fences – Part 2 explores low bamboo fences in Japanese gardens, from sukashi-gaki to ashimoto-gaki.
Learn more before your visit—or revisit from home.
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