NHK Professionals: Making rock gardens


NHK has a series of programs called Professionals and tonight the segment introduced Kitayama Yasuo. His job? Designing and creating rock gardens. NHK says he is recognized both in Japan and abroad, not only for his zen temple rock designs, but also for smaller, private gardens.

Kitayama explains his philosophy and how he got his skills. Apparently, he was good at math, which helps in making the designs. But, he insists that his art goes beyond words and concepts. Moss helps too. There is a short movie on NHK's website, but of course you should experience Japanese rock gardens for real.

Find out more:

Shishu-Intuition and Feeling in the Japanese Garden Tradition

Written and directed by, Robert Ketchell; presently Chairman of the Japanese Garden Society of Great Britain and landscape designer. Robert studied for four years in Kyoto, Japan. This video originates from over twenty years of continuing absorbtion in the profound beauty and beguiling content of the Japanese garden.

Designer of many garden projects, Kitayama Yasuo restored gardens at temples such as Kodai-ji and is responsible for maintaining major temple gardens in Kyoto. Kitayama's comments reveal the intense love and spirituality that underpins his approach to creating and maintaining the gardens.

Comments

Pandabonium said…
I'd like to watch that video.

Viewing gardens in person is of course best, but I remember being inspired by books of photographs of Japanese gardens long before I ever came to Japan. One book I borrowed ideas from for my own home when I lived in Hawaii was "A Japanese Touch for your Home" by Koji Yagi, which in part discusses garden design.

We can all improve the quality of our lives by making our surrounding harmonious, even if only in small ways.
2:51 pm, February 16, 2007
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