Japanese garden

is a traditional kind of garden in Japan.  The garden is made to be like a small landscape.Gunter Nitschke, Le jardin japonais, pg. 9-10.  The basic principle of a Japanese garden is to create harmony and balance. "How to Make a Japanese Garden" at GoneGardening.com, May 4, 2012; retrieved 2012-10-2.

History
The oldest Japanese text on garden-making is Sakuteiki (Records of Garden Making). The work was based on oral traditions which were published for the first time in the 11th century.Takei, Jiro et al. (2001). Sakuteiki Visions of the Japanese Garden: A Modern Translation of Japan's Gardening Classic, p. 3 n1.

Types
There are many types of Japanese gardens, for example, 

 The contemplation or thinking style of garden (kanshō) is designed to be studied and enjoyed from one specific place. An example of a kanshō garden is the rock and raked gravel garden at Ryōan-ji in Kyoto.Rowthorn, Chris. (2008).  Lonely Planet Kyoto City Guide, p. 35.

 The stroll or walking style of garden (shūyū) is intended to be looked at from a path.  The garden is discovered as the viewer walks along the path. An example of a shūyū garden is at Ginkaku-ji in Kyoto.

 The boating or pleasure-boat style of garden (funasobi) is centered on a large pond.  The best views are seen from a boat in the pond.  An example of a funasobi gardem is at Byōdō-in at Uji, which is near Kyoto.

 Many-pleasure style of garden (kaiyū) has a central pond and many paths. It combines aspects of kanshō, shūyū and funasobi gardens.  An example of a kaiyū garden is at Katsura Imperial Villa.

References

Other websites

 Japanese Gardens at GoJapan.com 
 Japanese Gardens at Bowdoin.edu

Category:Japanese culture
Category:Gardening