My first container Moss Garden using Japanese techniques

Of late I had been fascinated with Buddhism. The simplicity of it is so profound that I often wonder if I am missing something. While exploring more about Japanese I have comes across one of the finest gardening techniques in the world.
While I do know that Japan is famous for gardens, I haven’t really realized how beautiful their techniques are.

Here is an attempt at my very own Moss Garden temple; I know, it’s an insult to Kokedera to even talk about it here, but the inspiration to make this derived from that temple in Kyoto. It’s an attempt to pay tribute to my new interest, Buddhism and my evergreen hero, Lord Shiva. Can they co-exist? I have to find out. I have tried my best to make it look natural, while carefully making sure it doesn’t look wild. Did I succeed? Please let me know.


Below is how the pot looked like before I started making this temple.


The elements that I chose to make the temple are:


Water: From my research, I have learned that Japanese gardens always have water in them. In case of rock garden, water is represented by white sand and they call it a Zen gardens. Water and stones are the opposites (ying-yang) which complete each other. Just like in Hindu Vastu shastra where they recommend that a home face east, in Japanese gardens too the water is expected to flow from east to west. Its supposedly takes away the evil.
The waterfall is also called a Cascade.



Rocks: Rocks and sand also are an important part of a Japanese garden. Different kinds of rocks represent a different thing and the flat rock you see here represents earth. The vertical stones represent 8 Immortals.

They are expected to be firmly placed in the soil to represent permanence. Usually, odd numbers of rocks appear in a Japanese garden and in my garden I chose 7.


Trees: No garden is complete without trees and Japanese garden isn’t an exception. Plants/trees are chosen according to aesthetic principles. In 16th century a new technique, o-karikomi, was developed where you trim the bushes/trees into balls or round shapes. I used grass here, which is not a traditional Japanese shrub. I hope you forgive this transgression. I also used moss ball. I simply made a ball out of some moss and tied it up with green thread. You will see that beside the cascade.


Moss: The shy (like me...no?) and shade loving greens are a major part of Japanese gardens. Moss is a symbol of age, harmony and tradition. You cannot step on them, quite literally, without spoiling them. How amazing a concept this is! You really cannot step on age; harmony and tradition now can you? From what I had learned, the coexistence of this visual strength and the physical fragility is what makes it appealing to Japanese gardens…human beings if you will. The tiny details of the moss/ realms take us back to the basics of Buddhism. You need to ponder and think and usually nothing is what it looks like, unless you look close. Open yourself and meditate…

Lord Shiva: He doesn’t need an introduction. I was hoping He would find Himself comfortable in His surroundings and I hope He liked His abode in my very own Kokedera temple that I made for Him. This one is given to me by my grandmom.

 

Thanks Srama for the feedback. I started wondering if the garden is awful and that's why no one is responding. Actually, the garden is in accordance to the prescribed designs of a Japanese Garden. So, I could not incorporate more foliage without compromising the design. Of course, one might argue why bother with it, if its not pleasing but I just wanted to see how a design will look like, if made with techniques in mind.

Yes, the fountain is active. I did not switch it on and I dont think I will unless I buy another fountain. The problem is, it was drowning the moss when I switch it on. So, I tend and fill it up everyday but cannot keep it running.

If you have any suggestions on making it more pleasing, I would love to comply.

 

Srama, from what I have found out, traditional gardens use odd number of things, specially in small spaces. Like 3, 5 etc. Come to think of it, I should have made 3 instead of 1. Something to do with absorbing the negative impact.

 

Ya Srama, will make a couple more. I might have to wait a bit though as I am out of moss...lol
I am planning on adding a few silver flowers. Not sure how its gonna look like and I am not sure if artificil stuff is allowed in traditional gardening. Have to see
After I add the flowers, I will post another picture.

Thanks lucky. Until as recent as 2 years, i was under the impression that Sushi is the best gift which Japanese gave to the world. I was sooo wrong. lol