Japanese Gardens

According to the guide, Japanese gardens can be divided into 3 types:

- dry landscape gardens

- tea gardens and

- landscape gardens.

We  have seen many beautiful gardens for all types.

Let's see first a tea garden that we have seen at the tea house. These gardens are used for tea ceremonies. There is usually a tea house where the ceremonies occur, and the styles of both the hut and garden are based off the simple concepts of the sado (Japan Guide). Usually, there are stepping stones leading to the tea house, stone lanterns, and stone basins (tsukubai) where guests purify themselves before a ceremony(Japan Guide).

Landscape gardens in the Nijo-jo Castle. These gardens often try to copy famous landscapes.Ponds, streams, hills, stones, trees, flowers, bridges, and paths are also used frequently in this style (Japan Guide).

And finally let's see the famous dry landscape gardens from Ryoan-ji. The "dry landscape” gardens were influenced mainly by Zen Buddhism and can be found at Zen temples of meditation (Japan Guide). Unlike other traditional gardens, there is no water presents in Karesansui gardens. However, there is raked gravel or sand that simulates the feeling of water.

Well - and strictly speaking do not belong to this garden topic, but here are some lotus flowers - well. yes, not in a blossoming period..[place: Tokyo, outside the Imperial Palace]

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