Through the act of creating a garden, there is an inherent manipulation of nature. However, in the early forms of Japanese gardening, this was undertaken in order to serve nature and the deities that lived within the ‘garden objects’, such as rocks. It is true that many civilizations’ globally have...Continue Reading
The first thing that must be appreciated when referring to the ‘traditional Japanese garden’ is that this spans a great history of many different eras, possibly to the origins of tangible culture upon this island. Thus, the history of gardens incorporates many evolutionary forms from their simplistic beginnings. In extremely...Continue Reading
I would like to leave with the following short series of posts about the history of traditional Japanese gardens. During my time at RJG, I delved into their realms to begin understanding the complex reasons and methods behind their creation and composition. To begin this series, I would like to...Continue Reading
This is the starting signal for our new series: The Secret Gardens of Tokyo! I have to admit, I am a little late with publishing this blog about our newest eBook.. If you want to be informed always immediately about new eBook launches, please sign our Newsletter. However, now let...Continue Reading
Recently I ventured around Tokyo in search of a relatively new style of garden. I wanted to explore the differences that have taken place between the creation of traditional Japanese gardens and contemporary ones. The Japanese have a reputation for being creative, not least in the garden – so what...Continue Reading
In December last year I visited Tokyo’s Hamarikyu Edo era garden, which lies low on the original coastline of the city. It is a relatively large garden spreading in the mounds of man-made mountains, across a tidal pond, duck-hunting grounds and salt fields beneath the cities towering heights. It was...Continue Reading
Late last year, we had a surprise visit to a traditional machiya (town house) in Tokyo. I love houses made from hand-hewn stone, however those from carved wood hold a different sense of specialness. With wood comes delicate, warm aromas and a sense of shifting time – a settling and...Continue Reading
The third and final day was one of interesting contrasts. It began with a modern twist on the traditional Japanese garden, despite being one of the oldest Shinto shrines in Japan (dating to 701 AD). This is the infamous Matsuno-taisha, in which it is said that worship started here after...Continue Reading
On Saturday’s Good Garden Day, I took the chance to visit the gardens of Rikugien in Tokyo. Just as a reminder, this garden was originally created in the Edo period (c. 1603 – 1868), and then recreated in the Meiji period (1868 – 1912). I thought this a prime opportunity...Continue Reading
It’s done! With the publication of this eBook we finished our „Famous Gardens in Tokyo“ series!I am so happy about the completion and can now start with my next project: Secret Gardens in Tokyo!Hopefully, I can complete the second series in a short time as well.. However, now I want...Continue Reading
