September, 1912 
AMERICAN HOMES AND 
GARDENS 
The art of the Japanese gardener, here fully typified, takes into account the symbolism of every tree, plant, shrub and stone 
The Art of the Japanese Gardener 
By Harold J. 
anese gardens has become a fashion all 
over the country, it is doubtful if there are 
many to which this title can be truthfully 
applied. Because a corner of the garden 
boasts of a stone lamp. and little stepping 
stones, and a certain “Japanesy’’ mien, we are apt to im- 
agine that it is entitled to this claim. But from the Japan- 
ese point of view that nook, beauti- 
ful though it is, has no claim what- 
ever to the description. It is not 
akin to any of the historic schools of 
gardening established generations 
ago in Japan. It has, indeed, no 
real form as understood in these 
subtle schools. 
The fact is, few Occidentals have 
ever been able fully to appreciate the 
marvelous symphonies which the 
Japanese garden-artists have learned 
to produce as a matter of heredity 
through a long progression of cen- 
turies. No stone is selected without 
not only careful consideration as to 
A Japanese lantern 
Shepstone 
the place it is to occupy, but the special symbolism which 
attaches to the particular geological specimen laid down. 
No tree is planted without deep thought as to when its 
frontage will be at perfection, and how that perfection will 
affect the foliage in its immediate vicinity. The light and 
graceful are shown against dark masses of other trees. 
Deep shades find a fitting background against lighter leaves, 
and an impression of wonderful perspective is conveyed by 
the whole. 
What the Japanese gardener 
aims to create is not a flower show, 
or a pretty effect in blooms, but the 
spirit of a landscape, the memory of 
a well-beloved corner of the coun- 
try, and at the same time express 
some sentiment or pleasurable 
fancy. Indeed, the grand old land- 
scape gardeners—those Buddhist 
monks who first introduced the art 
to Japan—held it possible to ex- 
press moral lessons in the design of 
a garden, and to embody abstract 
ideas, such as Chastity, Faith, Piety, 
Content, Calm, and Connubial Bliss. 
