Links

Considering the world-wide interest in Japanese gardens, one finds relatively few web sites dealing with history of the classic gardens of Japan, and those that exist are often unillustrated. The following are among the more useful sites, although some of these are relatively limited in the amount of information they provide. We will be happy to add other valid links at the suggestion of visitors (scroll down and click on "Comments")

General Sites

The Japanese Garden Journal. This informative and beautifully produced bi-monthly publication is indispensable to anyone interested in Japanese gardens or the influence of Japanese aesthetics on contemporary garden design. Published and edited by Douglas Roth, the Journal combines sound technical advice with insightful analyses of the principles of Japanese design. Unlike many contemporary publications, it is careful to distinguish between truth and myth where Japanese gardens are concerned. With frequent contributions by other experts in the field.

Meditations on the Japanese Garden. William Will has created and manages this splendid new site dedicated to the growing community of those who love Japanese gardens or simply want to know more about them. Highly recommended.

Japan File: Japanese Gardens. Marc Keane's brief but excellent history of Japanese Gardens. For Professor Keane's invaluable printed publications on the subject, click on "Bibliography" at the top of this page.

The Japanese Garden Data Base provides a starting point for browsing the Internet. A comprehensive and well-designed site, it includes links, images, and information of a wide-ranging nature.

JAANUS is an online dictionary of Japanese terms dealing with art and architecture, including gardens. Terms are listed alphabetically by the romanized spelling, followed by the Japanese character. An invaluable source.

The International Association of Japanese Gardens had an important web site that included information about membership and upcoming events. The site appears to be down as of December, 2003, but I will continue to list it here in case it returns. Its URL was: http://www.japanese-gardens-assoc.org

General Information on Zen. Part of the Zen Buddhism WWW Virtual Library. An invaluable source on all matters pertaining to Zen, including important source links.

Japanese Architecture in Kyoto displays some interesting photos of temples and gardens, including some winter scenes.

Beauty of the Japanese Garden is an ambitious site undertaken by Chisao Shigemori. Currently it appears to be largely under construction.

The Japanese Garden. An informative site created by Elizabeth Kim as her contribution to a course given at Columbia University.

Specific North American Gardens and Garden Societies

There exist web sites for a number of Japanese gardens constructed in North America, together with local garden societies dedicated to Japanese gardening. Most of these are included among the resource links listed in The Japanese Garden Data Base. I have linked only those that go beyond a basic introduction to a specific garden and include materials relevant to this site.

Japanese Garden, Portland, Oregon. A beautiful site featuring the garden designed by Professor Takuma Tono in 1963.

Japanese Friendship Garden, San Diego. Includes an interesting section on the principles inherent in Zen gardens, by Professor Lennox Tierney.

Japangarden. A commercial site, but with many useful links and general information

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