Japanese Karesansui Gardens | Zen, Beauty, and Emptiness

Thank you all for always tuning in Today the garden which was a vibrant landscape last week has turned into a dry withered mountain garden Using Google Translate I'm adding translations so while the expression may not be perfectly accurate it should convey the general meaning Please check the subtitles—I'm speaking Japanese right now so I've added subtitles Adding subtitles will help you better understand what I'm saying right now so I've included them—please do watch with subtitles on I'd like you to listen to my explanation while following along with the subtitles—key to dry landscape gardens is the use of no water at all Lay down white sand or gravel there to represent the ripples of waves creating the visual effect of water flow through these wave patterns The stone holds something doesn't it It's about expressing something dynamic—highlighting the contrast between the beauty of the white sand and the green of the moss It creates a natural harmony after all in these training garden spaces the presence of moss is inseparable from the dry landscape style that defines Japanese gardens There's something about moss you know—no matter how much you cut it it just won't let go Even now this is still one of my favorite things and after all I'm not just a gardener I'm deeply connected to this garden The artist behind the garden a playwright a gardener—many things indeed—but in essence someone who creates gardens in this way What I really appreciate about this is how much it values the beauty of whitespace So what exactly is the beauty of whitespace Closely gathered together like a sudden cluster in a garden—stones trees or just a dense compacted spot that seems at first glance to hold nothing at all At first glance my expression might be a bit clumsy—I'm not sure I'm quite skilled enough You can't afford to lose but it's the garden you know—when everything bunches up tightly there's no open space at all That kind of empty space I suppose—that's exactly what I mean that kind of breathing room It's intentional isn't it That's exactly what draws your eye so strongly —perhaps it's the beauty of negative space the minimalism of the design The idea is that it connects you to a state of meditation or creative flow—exactly that kind of place I also prioritize such elements when creating a garden—after all these things are truly part of that traditional craftsmanship There are such elements in Japanese garden design and in this footage we've captured them quite prominently—so paying close attention to these details while viewing the garden scenes will make the experience even more enjoyable I'd like to share a brief overview of the history and historical context of Japanese dry landscape gardens Dry landscape gardens developed from the Heian period through the Muromachi period spreading widely especially alongside the influence of the Zen Buddhist monks There is a designated area known as the oldest surviving Japanese rest stop and garden complex from the Heian period which includes a facility for reinforcements and leisure There are places without ponds or flowing water where stones are arranged and this style is called dry landscape it was at this moment that the term "dry landscape" was first coined Around the year 1050 as stated in the research followed by the Kamakura period At times during the Kamakura period the entire province was passed down in this way and it is said that this is when the distinct style of dry landscape gardens truly emerged With the onset of the Northern and Southern Courts period around 1330 and continuing from approximately 1333 to 1392 the foundational style of karesansui emerged alongside the development of Jeolla Province It's true that dry landscape gardens are quite common throughout the entire region I myself once had the chance to use them at a temple in that area I heard about it but still gardens in Jeju really do place great importance on water Being careful not to waste even a single drop of water I'd use the leftover dampness from wringing out the cloth when wiping the walls There are even dirty packets washed with dirty water and all of that gets poured onto the plants We'll make sure not to waste a single drop of water so we'll use that water in the garden for example Such things might naturally involve drawing water from the river to create them but even so it's an incredible luxury to bring water specifically into that garden Using something meant for观赏 is considered a luxury you see It's truly a shame that even in places like oceans mountains and rivers— natural wonders that should inspire reverence—we still fail to use water wisely I can imagine that the style of Kano School paintings spread widely precisely because they were so expressive Karesansui evolved not merely into an aesthetic garden but also into a space for Zen philosophy and practice Among Japanese gardens particularly renowned for its strong minimalism and symbolism expressing the cosmos through stone and sand alone Its unique style is highly acclaimed worldwide and ultimately that's what makes the final landscape of the Shui Mountains so captivating Though divine and celestial it evokes a profound sense of depth a boundless vastness felt within a serene stillness The profound depth of how a company appears differently to each observer —the very same depth found in Zen gardens and Chinese landscape paintings Ignoring that regarding gardens and Japanese gardens the interpretation of a Japanese garden truly varies depending on the viewer—I think everyone's understanding of it will differ I think the feeling will differ from person to person so I'd like each of you to experience it in your own way Everyone has a unique personal way of perceiving things With that in mind please enjoy the video Thank you as always