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The Japanese Garden at the New Otani Hotel 
As I looked down on the garden from my hotel room each day. I saw the coi (goldfish) swimming in the ponds. My room was on the 34th floor. |
| The ideas I've expressed here originally come from the book Sakuteiki by Tachibana no Toshitsuna written in about 1289. It is sort of the bible of Japanese gardening. I found them translated into English in a beautiful book I bought here in Japan called Infinite Spaces, The Art and Wisdom of the Japanese Garden. Edited by Joe Earle photographs by Sadao Hibi. Copyright 2000. Tuttle Publishing. |
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| "In a Japanese garden, when the gardener decides where to place the stones they are guided by the lay of the land as well as their own passing mood." |
"It is said that the arrangements of stones carry deeper hidden meanings. For example the earth can symbolize the ruler and the water his subjects. Water can only go where the earth allows it. " |
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| "Ponds should always be shallow. Deep ponds allow the fish to grow too big and turn into poisonous bugs" |
There was a sign upon entering the garden that said plants and animals live together in the garden biotripe and that walking in or near the creeks is not permitted. |
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"If there are running away stones, there must be chasing stones. If there are leaning stones, there must be supporting stones. If there are assertive stones there must be yeilding stones." |
There are images of Mt. Fugi everywhere in Japan. We met a man on the bullet train who explained to us how very proud the Japanese people are of Mt. Fuji. |
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| "If you look at natural waterfalls, you will notice that high waterfalls are not always wide, and low waterfalls are not always narrow." |
"The only thing that makes any difference is the width of the lip over which the water actually flows." |
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| "Because it is difficult to appreciate an arrangement at close quarters you should always try to make sure that your design will look it's best when viewed at a short distance." |
