Japan's most beautiful Zen gardens

The Zen garden, a true symbol of Japanese culture, fascinates the world with its pure beauty and profound meaning. These spaces of contemplation and meditation, called "karesansui" or "dry gardens" in Japan, invite reflection and serenity. Let's discover together the origins of this ancestral art, its unique characteristics and the most beautiful examples to visit during a stay in the Land of the Rising Sun. From the emblematic gardens of Kyoto to the hidden treasures of Fukuoka, let's embark on a Zen journey through the Japanese archipelago.

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The history of Zen gardens dates back to the 15th century, in the heart of Zen Buddhist temples and monasteries in Japan. They were created in the context of Zen in Japan, a school of Japanese Buddhism that advocates meditation and detachment from material things.

These gardens are conceived as a metaphor for the universe, where each element takes on a profound meaning:

- Raked sand represents the ocean or rivers - Rocks symbolize mountains or islands - Traced patterns evoke waves and currents

One of the most emblematic dry gardens, whose creator remains unknown, is that of Kyoto's Ryoan-ji temple. Its mysterious composition has intrigued visitors and specialists alike for centuries.

Jardins Zen au Japon
Jardins Zen au Japon
Jardins Zen au Japon
Jardins Zen au Japon
Jardins Zen au Japon
Jardins Zen au Japon
Jardins Zen au Japon

1. The Ryoan-ji garden : considered one of the most beautiful and emblematic, this 200 m² garden consists of 15 stones laid out on a bed of white gravel. Its mystery lies in the fact that it is impossible to see all the stones simultaneously, whatever the viewer's position.

2.Ginkaku-ji dry garden : Also known as the Silver Pavilion, this temple houses a magnificent dry garden. What makes it special? A sand embankment representing Mount Fuji, a rarity in Zen garden art.

3. The three gardens of Daitoku-ji: This Zen temple complex is home to several remarkable gardens, including the Daisen-in. Classified as a Japanese National Treasure, this stone garden dating from the late Muromachi period (1336-1576) is divided into four parts, each symbolizing a stage in life.

Zen garden

The Ryoanji garden

Pixabay

Kyoto Ginkakuji

Kyoto Ginkakuji

DR

1. Banryutei Garden at Kongobu-ji on Mount Koya (Kansai): created in 1984, this is Japan's largest dry garden, with over 2,000 m² and 140 stones. The rocks represent dragons emerging from the clouds, protectors of the Kongobu-ji temple .

2. Komyozenji garden in Fukuoka (Kyushu): The only example of a dry garden on the island of Kyushu, it is distinguished by its two-part composition and the subtle presence of trees, which is rare in traditional Zen gardens.

3. Adachi Art Museum Garden (Shimane Prefecture): Although more modern, this garden designed as a "tableau vivant" has been voted best garden in Japan every year since 2003 by the Journal of Japanese Gardening.

Zen garden

Komyozenji dry garden

Wikimedia Commons, Chris 73, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.fr

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