There really is something about a Japanese garden that is soothing.
It just puts your mind at ease and calms your soul.

That said the amount of work both design / building and
maintaining one is mind boggling ( to a guy who cannot
keep a house plant alive )

A beautiful book.

I enjoyed my ebook ARC version of this picture book of Japanese gardens, the traditional and the more modern.
The geometrical and flowing lines of the gardens, the rocks in raked sand, the use of water and natural greenery and stone, the curves of the clipped and shaped bushes, and the occasional color of azaleas and the fall foliage of maple trees, all are lovely to look at.

A Japanese garden is peaceful and calm, although it lacks the spontaneousness and wildness of nature that some might prefer. Nevertheless, the Japanese creations are a delight to the eye.

A wonderful book to have and look at every now and again, or often.

This is a book of descriptions and photographs of gardens created in Japan in the twentieth century. There are 8 gardens discussed from 1896-1945 and 40 gardens since 1945. As you'd expect, there are some large, full page images of gardens as well as some smaller, half page ones as well. From looking at these photographs, what comes across is that the Japanese garden aesthetic is very different from a European aesthetic - the Japanese like gravel, large rocks, stone walls, streams, and highly manicured shrubs. This gives a colour palette of greys, browns and greens. Some modern gardens even dispense with the greens and evoke nature through shaped stones, concrete, fibreglass, etc. Many gardens make use of a borrowed landscape from beyond the garden's perimeter to add further aspects

If you're looking for an introductory guide to twentieth-century gardens in Japan then this is a good introduction. If you're looking for guidance on how to turn your own garden into something Japanese then this could be a book of inspiration but won't give you the practical how-tos.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Publishing date: 07.10.2025 (DD/MM/YYYY)
Thank you to NetGalley and Timber Press for the ARC. My opinions are my own.

I do not own a garden, but after reading this I wish I did.

This book really is an art piece. The beautiful gardens, the landscapes, the creativity. And it all feels so serene. I can hear the wind in the trees, the running water, and light steps off the rocks.

I can't really say much more as I was so absorbed in looking at the hard work of the gardeners. The text itself (there is a lot) does go into the visions, works, and execution of the different gardens. I found most enjoyment in taking them in from the pictures themselves.

I would recommend this to anyone interested in landscaping and gardening. Otherwise it has pretty pictures you can look at.
3 stars, beautiful book. Stunning work from the gardeners. You all have my deepest respect.