A rock garden in Japanese traditions at the dacha. A corner of peace and tranquility: Ryoanji rock garden in Kyoto, Japan 15 rock garden in Japan

So, the Buddhist temple Ryoan-ji - Temple of the Resting Dragon- is known far beyond the borders of Japan and is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The main attraction of the temple is the Rock Garden. On the sandy site inside the complex, there are 15 black rough stones: from whatever point the visitor views this composition, the fifteenth stone is always out of his field of vision, blocked by the rest. All the stones can be observed only by soaring over the garden and, in this regard, it is believed that the complete picture is available only to those who have achieved enlightenment. Well, or those who have a quadcopter.

I already mentioned the Golden Temple of Kinkaku-ji in the post about the best photo of September. The pavilion, covered with sheets of pure gold, was built in the 14th century as a holiday villa for the shogun. Here he spent his last years, having lost interest in the political life of the country. For many Russian tourists, this temple is familiar not only from the colorful booklets of travel companies, but also thanks to the translation of the work of the classic of modern Japanese literature, a man with an unusual destiny - Yukio Mishima. The novel Golden Temple (in the Russian name) was translated in the 70s by Grigory Chkhartishvili, a popular writer now known under the pseudonym Boris Akunin.

Temple area map. Now the tourist route lies around the pond and the golden pavilion. Only a select few are allowed to look inside:

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A century-old oak tree in front of the entrance to the territory:

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The pavilion stands on the shore of the Mirror Pond, reflecting and playing with the reflections of its gilding in the water surface:

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Taxi drivers take pictures of sightseeing schoolchildren. Interestingly, some companies have adopted the uniform of drivers and even insignia (shoulder straps), marking the driver's experience and professionalism.

Taxis in Kyoto are a popular form of transport not only for tourists, but also for school trips. Schoolchildren are brought here from all over the country. Acquaintance with monuments of national culture is an important part of the school curriculum. Every Japanese schoolchild is sure to be brought on an excursion to Kyoto and the ancient capital of Nara. Rather than moving on a big bus, the class is divided into links and groups of 4-5 people travel along the route by taxi. The driver, acting as a guide, shows the city, takes pictures of the guys and tells them about the sights:

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Kinkakuji Pond is beautiful in itself: neatly trimmed pine trees and silhouettes of stones are reflected in the mirror surface, creating a harmonious atmosphere of unity with nature:

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The art of tree cultivation is highly regarded in Japan.

Everyone knows the art of growing dwarf trees "on a tray" - "bonsai". Large trees receive equal attention. Pines are held in high esteem, they require careful care, constant haircuts. Heavy branches are propped up, and in winter they are even covered with special umbrellas from snow. Many pines have their own names. Some trees are deliberately shaped - in the picture “Pine Ship” is one of the three most beautiful pine trees in Kyoto. According to legend, the tree is more than 600 years old and it still remembers the builder of the Golden Temple:

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Stone lanterns are a type of donation to temples and shrines, similar to the red torii at the Fushimi Inari shrine. Usually they are placed in front of the facade of a temple or along alleys, but they can often be found in a “regular” Japanese garden or in the courtyard of a traditional Japanese house:

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A small waterfall in Kinkakuji is called the Dragon Gate. According to an ancient Chinese legend, a carp that climbs against the current along a waterfall into the sky can turn into a dragon. Here you see a stone symbolizing a carp that is about to achieve its goal:

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Coated with real gold, harmoniously shaded with a cypress bark roof, the Golden Pavilion is beautiful at any time of the year or day:

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Once Emperor Gomizuno came to these places to admire the pavilion, and a small tea hut was built especially for him - “The Beauty of Sunset” Sekkatei. It has been rebuilt several times since then, but now it gives an idea of ​​the Japanese art of the tea ceremony and the structure of the tea house:

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The ideal is simplicity and modesty, combined with sophistication in material and form:

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Japanese predictions are basically “good,” “very good,” “great,” “great.” “Bad” is rare. At the exit there is a special place where you can tie an “unsuccessful” prediction. A special inscription additionally informs that this place is only for unlucky fortune-telling. It is customary to take the good with you:

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Garden of Stones. Complex scheme:

Lily pond:

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A token with a hidden stone works only from a certain side of the garden. A special viewing platform has been made there:

Model of a rock garden for the visually impaired:

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In theory, the stones should be in the water. To recreate this effect, gravel is leveled with a special pattern that simulates waves:

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Near the temple building there are six buckets of water that serve as a fire extinguisher:

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Ryoanji (Temple of the Peaceful Dragon) is a Zen temple in the northwestern part of Kyoto. Belongs to the Myoshinji School of the Rinzai Branch. The temple is one of the historical monuments of ancient Kyoto, included in the UNESCO heritage list.

It was originally the home of the Fujiwara family estate and ultimately passed into the hands of the Hosokawa Fujiwara clan. Hosokawa Hatsumoto inherited this place and lived here before Onin's war. He wished that after his death a Zen temple would be formed here. Later, following the burial of the Hosokawa Emperors here, what is today known as the "Seven Imperial Tombs" emerged. Here are buried the Emperors Uda, Kazan, Ichijou, Go-Suzaku, Go-Reisei, Go-Sanjo, Horikawa. Until the 19th century, the graves were desolate, but were restored by Emperor Meiji.

Rock garden

The main attraction of the temple is the rock garden, the most famous of its kind in Japan. A typical Zen rock garden consists only of stones, moss and neatly laid gravel.

There are 15 stones in Ryoanji's garden, but when viewed from the veranda of the temple, only 14 stones are always visible from any point. Traditionally, it is believed that the 15th stone can be seen only through enlightenment. What meaning was originally laid in this garden is unknown and the interpretation remains at the discretion of the visitors.

Stone vessel

On the back of the veranda of the temple there is an interesting stone vessel, into which water flows continuously for ritual ablutions. This is Ryoanji tsukubai, which means "tilt." The vessel is located almost at ground level, and in order to get water, a visitor to the temple must bow, thereby expressing a request and respect.

Four kanji (hieroglyphs) are carved on top of the stone. If you read each of them separately, then they have no meaning. But if you add a square icon ("guti") to each kanji from the corresponding side, i.e. square water cutout, kanji make sense right away. The resulting phrase goes something like this: "I just know a lot." Its meaning is simple: "What everyone has is all they need"... This inscription is intended to reinforce the basic anti-materialistic teachings of Buddhism. Now there is a scoop on the stone, but, apparently, it was not there before. The lack of a scoop was intended to show that water is only for the soul and it is enough to bend your knees in humility to receive its blessing.

Ryoanji is a 15-minute walk from the Golden Pavilion. You can also take the bus for 5 minutes. Ryoanji can also be reached by taking the Keifuku Kitano line through the quiet residential areas of northwestern Kyoto, Ryoanji-michi stop, from which the temple is a 5-minute walk.

Find Ryoanji Rock Garden on the big one.

The Japanese rock garden is an unusual phenomenon for a European. There is nothing like this in any other culture. These philosophical gardens have an incredible alluring simplicity and grace.

History

For the Japanese who live surrounded by rocks, stones have always had a special meaning. Even in antiquity, accumulations of stones were considered marked by the divine presence and were revered as sacred. That is why a rock garden in Japan is not just a decorative element, but a sacred place, especially valuable and respected.

Initially, sacred stones were simply tied in a special way. A new trend in the aesthetics of the rock garden was brought by the Chinese, who believed that the islands of the blessed immortals were located in the eastern sea. It was they who began to be depicted with the help of a garden of stones - sand combed in a special way depicted water, and stones became islands. Gradually, various figures began to be laid out from the stones.

For a deeper understanding of the meaning of such a phenomenon as a rock garden for the Japanese, you should learn about another custom. Buddhist monks found stones with sharp edges, in which the presence of a deity was especially felt. A monk could “extract” a Buddha figurine from such material, that is, process it. If the stone was not processed, then it was believed that the figurine was still hidden in it. Such a stone also becomes an object of worship.

The philosophy of the rock garden

The Japanese rock garden is a real model of the world. The material itself - stone - is for the islanders a perfect creation of nature and demonstrates its beauty. Large stones symbolize rocks, islands, and fine gravel and sand - water.

The rock garden is very symbolic. It is intended for contemplation and meditation and symbolizes nature. The setting of the stones, their expressiveness, the ratio of sizes make us perceive them as a sculpture, a work of art. The rest of the garden elements serve only as a background, emphasizing the beauty of the stones.

There is a lot of free space in the garden, because it personifies freedom, the vastness of the world. And at the same time, a feeling of closeness and intimacy is created.

The stone in Japan is associated with bright masculine power. And the dark feminine principle is personified by water. Even though the water in the garden is symbolized by sand and fine gravel, a tiny model of the world order cannot do without it.

Purpose of the garden

The main task of a rock garden is to make a person relax and concentrate. Having reached the desired state, looking at the garden sees a stone immersed in water, and smoothly diverging waves.

The first gardens for contemplation were created exclusively at temples. Later, a similar practice found widespread in secular life, but the purpose of the gardens remained the same - the visitor must retire to get away from the worldly bustle, forget about his problems and meditate. Aesthetic satisfaction is brought by simplicity and grace, with which the Japanese reflect the laws of world harmony.

Stylistics

The minimalist garden will appeal to the thoughtful lovers of secluded relaxation. If you want to equip a rock garden with your own hands, there are several key points to consider. First, it is "emptiness." This is the impression one gets when you first see a rock garden. Unlike European ones, the Japanese garden is not filled to the maximum.

The main point of contemplation should be determined, to which the entire garden will be oriented. The hours of observation are also taken into account in advance. To avoid the blinding sun, it is preferable to arrange the vantage point on the north side. The main object of observation is located in the eastern or western part of the garden, depending on the chosen time of contemplation.

The Japanese garden is asymmetrical. The stones must be of different shapes and sizes. You don't need to place them parallel to each other. Objects are positioned so that they can be clearly seen from any point of view, taking into account the heptagonal geometric network of lines. If there is a water body on the site, it is necessary to think over the reflection of the elements of the garden.

Selection of stones

When starting to embody a garden of stones, it is worth considering in advance where you will take the necessary materials in the right amount, how the stones will look in your garden. Selected decorative stones for the garden should not "argue" with each other in structure and color. They must be from the same locality. The stones must match in shape and size and fit into the concept of the garden.

The choice of the main characters must be approached with special care. Each stone has its own character, personality. Each piece must find its place in the garden and become part of a harmonious composition.

Carefully study the stone you like, its structure, shape, color. Think about what place he can take in the garden. Define his "crown" and "face" - the most interesting sides with which he will be turned up and towards the main point of observation.

To make a rock garden with your own hands, you need to have an understanding of the types of stones. There are 5 of them:

Lying;

Flat;

Curved;

Low vertical.

In addition, stones can fulfill many roles - a leaning stone, running away, catching up, lying, erect, etc.

Location of stones

There are many ways to use stones in a Japanese garden. Decorative stones for the garden can not only make up an interesting composition, but also be used to create bridges, paths, retaining walls. They make out reservoirs.

The composition must be balanced. For this, the technique of construction based on a triangle is used, where the main element and several subordinates are necessarily present. This canonical technique brings harmony and is used not only for building compositions from stones.

It is best to take stones from the area where you plan to set up a garden.

Arrangement of stones

The main thing in the work of the creator of the garden is the correct arrangement of stones, "sute-ishi". In order to comprehend this art, it is not enough just to read the rules for placing stones, you need to try to comprehend the very deep essence of the garden.

Consider the basic rules for placing stones:

1. To create a composition, an odd number of stones are used - 3, 5, 7, etc.

2. A stone cannot just lie on the surface, it must "grow" from the ground. That is, it needs to be deepened so that it connects to the ground, grows into it. On a slope, stones are deepened more strongly than on a flat surface.

3. There should not be stones of the same size in a group, otherwise the composition will not be successful. The largest stone must be correctly correlated with the first and second minor.

4. There should be more stones located horizontally than vertically. This is necessary to balance the Yin-Yang energy. With the help of horizontally lying stones, you need to balance the influence of the abundance of vertical objects - trees, fences, buildings.

5. The composition of the garden should be positioned asymmetrically, with a contrast between the filled and empty part. Parallel lines and elements of the same size are not allowed.

6. The area where the garden is located must be completely covered with a layer of sand, pebbles or gravel.

7. When designing the garden, a heptagonal geometric network is used. It is this approach that helps to correctly determine the distance between objects. Mandatory rule - stones are located at the intersection of the lines of the network. If the garden is small, then only part of the network is used.

The symbolism of the rock garden

The correct arrangement of plants and stones is important. They need to be connected so that the impression is created that the stones lie here all life, personifying the eternity and constancy of the Universe, and the plants are replaced, symbolizing the variability of life.

The entire garden is permeated with various symbols that an attentive viewer can decipher. Waves of sand resemble the sea - now calm, then raging, endless. Each element carries its own meaning. A large stone rises like a rock, and a small one resembles a hill or an island. A vertical stone will represent the sky, and a flat, earthy one will represent the earth. The pile of sand becomes the moon.

The stones are positioned so that all objects but one are visible from any vantage point. Such a composition will denote the infinity of the universe.

Decorative elements of the garden

The Japanese garden is not only filled with stones. Equally important are patterns in sand or gravel, bridges, paths, tsukubai and fences.

The patterns in the sand, which are a recognizable element of the rock garden, are made using a special rake. Before you start drawing, you need to think carefully about it. The lines should fit harmoniously into the overall landscape. Straight lines will symbolize the surface of the water, circles near stones - waves running onto the shore, and curved lines - waves, seething streams.

The fence is designed to recreate the atmosphere of privacy. It is made of opaque materials on one or both sides of the garden. These can be bamboo fences, a low stone or concrete wall.

Tsukubai is a 20-30 cm high stone bowl resembling a small barrel, into which water flows through pipes. Tsukubai brings an element of dynamics, movement to a static rock garden without disturbing its tranquility.

For lighting at night and in the evening, small lanterns made of stone, wood, pumice are installed in the garden. The play of light and shadow in the night garden creates an atmosphere of mystery and allows you to take a fresh look at familiar things.

Paths and bridges

The paths in the Japanese garden have their own special meaning. It is a life journey, a journey through life. It is the path that shows the viewer the path along which he will be able to look at each picture of the garden. Tracks should not be straight, clear geometric shapes. A soft and winding path leads to every viewpoint of the garden.

The path should not be bright, flashy. Its base is durable and comfortable, and the track itself complements the composition and is not striking. Do not forget about the direct purpose of the trail - it should be pleasant to walk along it. The material can be a brick of irregular shape, natural or artificial stone. When laying, it is undesirable to join four seams, the formation of squares. The path runs so that all the stones are turned perpendicular to the long axis.

The bridges in the garden represent the transition from one stage of life to another, from the present to the unknown. Bridges made from a single piece of stone are especially appreciated.

Miniature rock garden

Relatively recently, the production of miniature gardens has become widespread. For them, a stone with a natural depression, a small wide pot or basket is used. The tabletop rock garden completely mimics the appearance of a rockery. Super dwarf plants, mosses, lichens and small rocks are used.

Famous rock gardens

The rock garden in Kyoto is considered a masterpiece of park art. 15 stones are located on white gravel surrounded by brown-green moss. Smooth lines on the surface of the gravel symbolize the sea, circles near the island stones - waves running on the shore, and moss - forests. Ryёanji Rock Garden gives the impression of austerity and purity.

The mystery of the garden of fifteen stones is that, no matter which side the viewer is from, one of the stones turns out to be hidden from his eyes. There is a belief that only after complete spiritual cleansing and enlightenment can you see the garden completely.

Vietnam also has a famous rock garden. Nha Trang - the city near which the garden is located - is located on the seashore, and the garden itself is a picturesque cape of natural origin. Stones of interesting shapes, polished by nature itself, attract many tourists.

There is also a domestic rock garden. The Krasnodar Territory, which is famous for its dendrological park and stone museum, also boasts such a masterpiece of park art.

Rock Garden Japan or Karesansui (which literally means dry landscape) dates back to the Muromachi period (1336 - 1573), and is still the subject of Japan's aesthetic and cultural heritage. In those days, it was believed that gods live in places with a large accumulation of stones, as a result of which the stone began to symbolize something sacred, divine. It was in order to get closer to the gods that such a tradition appeared in Japan as decorating a garden with stones. Later, the rock gardens became a place for meditation for Buddhist monks.

The purpose of the rock garden

For Europeans, a rock garden is something mysterious and fantastic, but it definitely carries some meaning. Indeed, such gardens are also called "philosophical". Usually, rock gardens were created exclusively for contemplation, so that, once in solitude, a person could comprehend the secret meaning of this architectural structure, as well as move away from the worldly vanity. The stones, frozen in a special picture, make a person see associative images that everyone understands in their own way. This fully embodies the Zen teaching that the world is exactly as we perceive it. The minimalism and simplicity of the Japanese garden create a sense of harmony, which causes real aesthetic pleasure among connoisseurs. The main property of the Japanese rock garden is the inability to comprehend God and the world, this concept is at the heart of the garden, just like in Zen Buddhism.

Arrangement of a garden of stones

The chaotic, at first impression, arrangement of stones and the emptiness surrounding them, in fact, strictly obey certain laws:

• The stones in the garden should be in relation to some vantage point, depending on the time of day that you intend to spend in it. An ideal point of observation is considered to be on the north side, so that at its peak the sun does not dazzle.
• In a rock garden, all free space should not be completely filled; a balance of open and filled areas should be observed.
• Asymmetry must be respected, the father-in-law should not place objects of the same size or parallel in the garden.
• The Japanese garden is based on a heptagonal geometric network of lines, relative to which stones are placed at their intersection points.
• The entire main space should be covered with pebbles or sand, on which, subsequently, lines are drawn with a rake, symbolizing water ripples.

Stones in a japanese garden

A tree in a garden of stones, as a rule, is not used, since the essence of this garden is more close to death, and a tree is a symbol of life, therefore a stone has always been and remains the main element in the construction of a garden.

All stones are selected in size, color and shape and are not placed separately, but as if they complement each other and fit organically into the landscape. Since there are many volcanoes in Japan, volcanic stones are usually used for arranging the garden. Only a specialist can correctly place stones on the territory of the garden, since stone laying depends on many characteristics. There are also five types of stones:

• Recumbent
• Flat
• Curved
• The statue
• Low vertical

Usually, an odd number of stones are used for placement, but sometimes 2 stones can also lie in the composition. In general, the number of stones is not limited by any strict rules, there can be as many of them as you like, but, as a rule, they are placed in groups of no more than two or three pieces.
Some Japanese, and more recently Europeans, create a mini garden of stones on the territory of their home, but this is more decorative than symbolic.

Rock garden video

A city in Japan with a rock garden

Kyoto is home to the most famous and most visited rock garden located in the Ryoanji Temple (Temple of the Resting Dragon). It was built in 1450 and became a haven for Buddhist monks. In the 18th century, many structures of the temple were destroyed by frequent fires. The stones in the garden are the only objects that have survived unchanged to our time. The author and creator of this garden is the famous master Soami. The entire territory of the garden is covered with white gravel, and on small islets of moss there are 15 stones divided into 5 groups.

Sushi, samurai, sakura, geisha, rock gardens - these are the pillars that most of us think about Japan. But if admiration for the courage of the samurai, cherry blossoms and the taste of Japanese food is understandable and understandable, then the beauty of a rock garden is still a mystery. His aesthetic laws are difficult and very far from the ideas of the average Russian about beauty and benefits for the soul. Understanding the merits of such a garden will require a lot of mental work, genuine love for nature in all its manifestations.

By the way, about the love of nature. In the European tradition, it is customary to "improve" it. Whatever gardens and parks we remember - from the most well-groomed, to the half-abandoned - everywhere we, willingly or unwillingly, will note the transformations made by a specialist in order to eliminate natural chaos.

But in the minds of the Japanese, nature in its original form is perfection itself, it is both beautiful and intelligent. It is only necessary to emphasize this beauty, without undertaking any radical invasions.

Photo: www.globallookpress.com

Welcome to Kyoto!

Rock garden, water garden, moss garden - these are the main types of Japanese gardens. One of the most famous rock gardens is located in Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan. People come to see it literally from all over the world, someone hopes to see a real miracle, but many are also disappointed: what kind of garden is this - just stones, and even scattered in random order! It seems to be true. But you shouldn't rush. This garden should not distract the visitor with the brightness of the colors or the intricacy of the composition. Its task is to promote spiritual concentration.

The garden of the Reanji monastery in Kyoto has existed since the 15th century. This is a small area of ​​23 × 9 m2 in front of the veranda of the abbot's house. The surface is covered with white gravel, and there are 15 stones on it in small groups. Each group of stones is framed with brownish-green moss. Silence, balance and harmony. Nothing extra. Of course, this garden was designed primarily for a person who lived several centuries ago. It is much more difficult for our contemporary, existing in a different rhythm, to concentrate and conjure up many non-everyday associations. But such moments of concentration and immersion in oneself are no less important for him than for a distant ancestor. Consequently, the value of such a garden only increases ...

The garden in Kyoto only seems unchanged, but in fact it is constantly changing - after all, the lighting changes, the moss turns brown, wet stones become covered with rain drops and the gardener from time to time corrects the pattern on the gravel with a special rake. Yes, a gardener is needed in such a garden. True, his task is somewhat different. There is a Japanese legend in which the father again and again forced his son to clean his garden. Finally he prayed with the words: “Father, there is nothing more to do! I sprinkled the trees with water, the moss sparkles with fresh greenery, not a single twig, not a single leaf is left on the ground! " But my father just smiled and with the words "you stupid, is that how they sweep the path ..." went down into the garden, shook the tree and scattered gold and scarlet leaves in the garden. So autumn came to the garden.

If you are lucky enough to get into this or a similar garden, do not rush to leave it after a bustling flock of tourists, and then the grateful garden will reveal to you at least part of its many secrets.

In the image and likeness

Perhaps one of our readers will want to create a semblance of a Japanese garden in their summer cottage. This matter may seem simple only at first glance. After all, none of the imaginary lines connecting two objects should be the same length as the other, these two imaginary lines should not be parallel, and two objects cannot be of the same size.

The main thing to remember when planning your garden: the task is not to fill it with even the most wonderful plants and objects, but, on the contrary, to “cut off” all unnecessary things, because a garden is a model of the world, and how you want to see your world , it's up to you to decide.

- Alas, I did not have a chance to visit the rock garden. But my mother saw one in Japan and remembered it as a place of extraordinary beauty and harmony. The rock garden, according to my mother, does not give the impression of being artificially created by man, it seems to be a corner of natural nature.