40 8 



THE PRAISE OF GARDENS 



of an Inn Garden at Nara, is chiefly of sand, with large stones 

 out of which grow shrubs scattered about; and bronze cranes. 

 To our Western ideas there is a certain poverty and bareness 

 about these lesser gardens. Trees are planted so as to show 

 contrasts, and if clipped at all, it is done consistently with their 

 general character and growth, as for instance the native pine 

 (matsu). There are very strict rules as to the placing of trees, 

 and names (such as 'view-perfecting tree/ 'tree of solitude') 

 are given them according to their position. The flower-beds are 

 usually in a flat area, opposite the ladies' apartments. Stone 



lanterns and water-basins ot various shapes are placed in appro- 

 priate positions. The garden walls are of tiles and mud alter- 

 nately, and fences of split bamboos are largely used. 1 



1 Besides Mr Conder's invaluable Essay and Kaemp.er's ' History of Japan 

 (see ante pp. 128-9), the following may be consulted on Japanese Gardens : 

 MrF. T. Piggott's 'The Garden of Japan, 'Mr Chamberlain's 'Things Japanese,' 

 Mr Charles Holme's Essay in The Studio, July 1899, ' Notes on Japan ' by Mr 

 Alfred Parsons, A.R.A., and Murray's * Handbook to Japan.' 



