The Art of the Japanese Garden - by David Young & Michiko Young (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

**Winner of the American Horticultural Society Book Award**

Japanese gardens are rooted in two traditions: an ancient one in which patches of graveled forest or pebbled beach were dedicated to nature spirits, and a tradition from China and Korea that included elements such as ponds, streams, waterfalls, rock compositions, and a variety of vegetation. This book traces the development and blending of these two traditions, while also providing insight into modern Japanese gardening trends.

The Art of the Japanese Garden is a comprehensive collection of the most notable gardens in Japan--including graveled courtyards, early aristocratic villas, palace gardens, esoteric and paradise gardens, Zen gardens, warrior gardens, tea gardens, and stroll gardens. With an impressive amount of new content, including more than 30 images, this updated edition offers inspiring ideas for your own trip to Japan. If you're just dreaming of traveling to Japan, there is also a section on Japanese gardens in other countries--get a taste of Japanese culture and tradition closer to home.

Japanese gardening has reached new heights of sophistication, and serves as garden design and landscaping inspiration all over the world. The Art of the Japanese Garden introduces readers to the history, culture, and design behind these large-scale works of art.

Review Quotes

"...Overall a lovely read for anyone wanting to know more about the wonderful art of the Japanese garden. You can use it as both as a reference book and a picture book." -- SensibleGardening.com

"A well-written and beautifully illustrated reference book intended for a broad audience. It is a great book for becoming acquainted with the topic of Japanese gardens." --Landscape Architecture

"Apart from a knowledgeable text supported by a wealth of contemporary photographs and a sprinkling of archive material, the Youngs present exacting bird's-eye diagrams of garden complexes which immediately show how they function and relate to the buildings which they surround...This book, more than any other I've come across recently, inspires me to visit Japan..." --Hortus Journal

"Impressively researched with high quality images, maps, illustrations and detailed layouts of Japan's notable gardens, the authors have a clear commitment to deeply contextualize the culture, history and design of Japanese gardens. The Art of the Japanese Garden is an invaluable reference for an engaged audience eager to digest this paradoxically calming, yet challenging landscape tradition." -- Kyoto Journal

"Newcomers will find the wealth of insight and information offered by this book makes an ideal introduction to this fascinating art form. And even veteran garden-goers will find it helps them approach familiar gardens with renewed enthusiasm and knowledge." -- Zoom Japan Magazine

"Steve Jobs described Kyoto's Japanese gardens as 'the most sublime thing I've ever seen.' The splendid color photos that adorn every page of this book offer convincing support for that claim...However, The Art of the Japanese Garden is no mere coffee table tome. Authors David and Michiko Young delve deeply into the development of Japanese gardens over the centuries...Newcomers will find this book to be an ideal introduction and even veteran garden-goers will find it helps them approach familiar gardens with renewed enthusiasm and insight." --The Japan Times

"The text is very readable and most informative but, for me, the most delightful aspect of the book is the quality of the illustrations--both the exquisite photography and the perspective diagrams of the majority of the gardens...a superb book, highly recommended!" --Shakkei Vol. 25 No. 4. Spring 2019

"This book is so roundly written that it could, if necessary, serve as the only book one had to introduce and explain to Westerners the basic components of Japanese gardens." --The American Gardener

About the Author

David Young was born in the United States and spent his childhood in Sierra Leone, West Africa. After obtaining his Ph.D. from Stanford University, he taught anthropology at the University of Alberta in Canada until he retired in 1999 and moved to Japan to continue his teaching career. Together with his wife, he has conducted research on Japanese aesthetics for many years.

Michiko (Kimura) Young was born in China and raised in Japan. After graduating from Kyoto University of Foreign Studies, she moved to the United States and then to Canada, where she worked for many years in the international affairs office at the University of Alberta. She and husband David co-authored Introduction to Japanese Architecture. The Youngs now live on Gabriola Island off the west coast of Canada.

Tan Hong Yew graduated in fine arts from the Kuala Lumpur College of Art, Malaysia. He has contributed to several group exhibitions and books, including Tuttle's The Art of Japanese Architecture and Introduction to Japanese Architecture. He works as a freelance illustrator, specializing in architectural paintings.