Create Your Own Japanese Garden - by Motomi Oguchi & Joseph Cali (Hardcover)

About the Book

"First edition published in Japan in 2007 by Kodansha International."

Book Synopsis

In this book, renowned garden designer Motomi Oguchi offers the reader a step-by-step, practical approach to creating Japanese gardens, drawn from a wealth of experience that covers thirty years and encompasses the design of more than 400 gardens. The author uses real examples from gardens he has designed, constructed, and photographed to illustrate his key points, approaching each work from the perspective of the home or building owner.

Oguchi begins with front gardens, as these are usually what one encounters first when entering a home. Typically, these front plantings are not defined Japanese garden types but rather, physical areas. He then moves on to tsubo niwa (courtyard gardens) and kare sansui (dry gardens) that might be found in the middle or rear of a building, or any available small space. Next, he introduces tea and tree gardens, which are more likely to be sections of a larger garden; and highlights specific characteristics and conditions of interior gardens.

Within each chapter are general layouts and methods of developing the various gardens, which precede specific, step-by-step instructions. The author also offers practical and affordable variations on more ambitious designs and shows how they can be adapted to the reader's home or building. In addition, Oguchi emphasizes the importance of proper maintenance and offers suggestions for special touches and restoration.

Review Quotes

"With precise instructions and illustrations for building typical elements such as bamboo fences and stone bridges, the book gives Americans all the information they need to create authentic Japanese gardens." --Publisher's Weekly

"This is probably the best ... garden book to be published in English in the past half decade. ... this book deserves an 'A' grade...." --Journal of Japanese Gardening

"This book is loaded with design ideas for East and West." --Washington Post

"Just leafing through the photographs is enough to make you feel at peace!" --My Home

About the Author

MOTOMI OGUCHI was born in 1947. Since he began his career as a garden designer, he has created about 400 Japanese gardens for homes, temples, and public buildings including the Schloss Schoenbrunn in Vienna and his current project, the Shizen-An spa/retreat on the north fork of Long Island, NY.

His co-author, JOSEPH CALI, wrote The New Zen Garden published by Kodansha International.