Introduction
Characters for Garden: Tei En

Introduction

    Takasago no Onoe no sakura Toyama no kasumi Tatazu mo aranan
On that far mountain On the slope below the peak Cherries are in flower. Oh, let the mountain mists Not arise to hide the scene.
- GonChunagon Masafusa
- Oe no Masafusa
"Winter Landscape"
Sesshu
15th Century
The Japanese garden embodies native values, their cultural beliefs and religious principles. This is why there is no one prototype for the Japanese garden, just as there is no one native philosophy or aesthetic. In this way, similar to other forms of Japanese art, landscape design is constantly evolving because of the influx of mainland, namely Chinese, influences as well as the changing aesthetic tastes and values of the patrons.
Edo Period
Heian Period
Ukiyo- e
The line between garden and its surrounding landscape is not distinct. The two embody each other in that every aspect of the landscape is in itself a garden. Also, when observing the garden, the visitor should not distinguish the garden from its architecture. Gardens incorporate natural and artificial elements and thus, fuse the elements of nature and architecture.
In order to appreciate and understand the Japanese garden, the viewer should consider nature as a picture frame into which the garden, or the man- made work of art, is inserted. It is in this way the garden also helps the visitor understand his surroundings.

Characters for Garden: Tei En

N I W A
TEI
S O N O
EN

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