Creating Your Own Japanese Garden

The strong horizontals of bamboo reflected in a dark circle of water; the rhythmic clap of the deer scarer; the contemplative beauty of waves created in sand: combinations of nature and art that soothe and uplift the spirit. Your vision of a Japanese garden need not be confined to Japan. Here is a fully comprehensive guiide which will enable you to capture in your home or office environment the elusive spirit of the Japanese garden-no matter where you live.
The author, a Japanese landscape architect who has been living and designing Japanese gardens in the West for many years, will show you step by-step how to accomplish this ideal utilizing your own special environment and using materials which are readily available in the West. Since moving to the UK in 1974, the author has designed and created many Japanese gardens, from small private gardens to large public spaces of over two acres. It is from this direct experience that he draws the material for this book. The step-by-step instructions are easy-to-follow, and also included are many drawings and photographs to illustrate the points that are made.
"Many books on Japanese gardens can be found in bookstores and libraries, but most do not take into account the different environments found outside Japan nor the diverse materials available worldwide. They tend either to be translations of books written by Japanese landscape architects and gardeners living and working in Japan, or books written by those who visit Japan to research the gardens, with the intention of introducing them to the rest of the world... These books are ideal for learning about the history and appearance of Japanese gardens, but lack the practical advice necessary for constructing your own garden.. .I believe that as the interest in and understanding of Japanese culture continues to spread, so will the popularity of and desire for Japanese gardens. I hope that this book will give pleasure to all those of you who, like me, are captivated by the gardens of Japan, and that it will help you to create a garden of your own that you can enjoy day after day."

TAKASHI SAWANO was born in Shizuoka, Japan in 1948. His love of nature and the Japanese landscape expressed itself at a very early age, making his choice of career a simple one. He received his degree in ornamental horticulture from Minami Kyushu University in 1972. After traveling throughout the USA and Europe, he finally settled in England where he has lived for the past 25 years. He is the United Kingdom's foremost designer of Japanese gardens and his work can be seen in private homes, commercial developments and public parks. Whilst his gardens are true to the original Japanese traditions, he adapts them to suit the climate, environment and materials of their particular setting which makes his work unique. He is also a master of ikebana, which he teaches and demonstrates. He and his wife live near London with their two cats.