"Shunmyo Masuno, Japan's leading garden designer, is at once Japan's most highly acclaimed landscape architect and an 18th-generation Zen Buddhist priest, presiding over daily ceremonies at the Kenkoji Temple in Yokohama. He is celebrated for his unique ability to blend strikingly contemporary elements with the traditional design vernacular. He has worked in ultramodern urban hotels and in some of Japan's most famous classic gardens. In each project, his work as a designer is inseparable from his Buddhist practice. Each becomes a Zen garden, ""a special spiritual place where the mind dwells."" This beautiful book, illustrated with more than 400 drawings and color photographs, is the first complete retrospective of Masuno's work to be published in English. It presents 37 major gardens around the world in a wide variety of types and settings: traditional and contemporary, urban and rural, public spaces and private residences, and including temple, office, hotel and campus venues. Masuno achieved fame for his work in Japan, but he is becoming increasingly known internationally, and in 2011 completed his first commission in the United States which is shown here. The book, divided into three chapters, covers: ""Traditional Zen Gardens,"" ""Contemporary Zen Gardens"" and ""Zen Gardens outside Japan."" Illustrated with photographs and architectural plans or sketches, each garden is described and analyzed by author Mira Locher, herself an architect and a scholar well versed in Japanese culture. Celebrating the accomplishments of a major, world-class designer, Zen Gardens also serves as something of a master class in Japanese garden design and appreciation: how to perceive a Japanese garden, how to understand one, even how to make one yourself. Like one of Masuno's gardens, the book can be a place for contemplation and mindful repose.
Zen Gardens
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There is something about Japanese gardens that wraps me in serene calmness. I find them as close to perfection as any garden style can be. This much is true of Shunmyo's work and a lot more besides. All the classic Japanese elements are brought together in an accomplished way. This book includes traditional Japanese garden in the 21st century, modern gardens and essence of Zen and gardens outside Japan. 38 gardens are featured with a slight emphasis on traditional gardens in the 21st century. There is also information on the design and construction process of one of the featured gardens with small but detailed photos. A dialogue with the garden creator adds further insight. The text offers plenty of insight into garden making and it is beautifully illustrated with appropriate and clear photos. You'll see all aspects of the garden, site plans which show you the design. In this book you can simply admire the gardens or you could use it to create a design of your own. This is an exquisite book, perfect for all lovers of Japanese gardens. Great for a gift or for yourself. --yarnsandfabrics/crafts, october, 2012
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By Mr Joe Daly
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Being a member of the Japanese Garden Society, I have numerous books on the subject of Japanese Gardens. and I would rate this as one of the best. Shunmyo Masuno (a Zen Buddhist Priest) has built some stunning gardens, in both traditional and modern styles and they are all here in this book. The book is full of wonderful photographs that give plenty of ideas should you wish to build your own Japanese style garden.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By K. Platt
TOP 50 REVIEWER
Format:Hardcover
There is something about Japanese gardens that wraps me in serene calmness. I find them as close to perfection as any garden style can be. This much is true of Shunmyo's work and a lot more besides. All the classic Japanese elements are brought together in an accomplished way. This book includes traditional Japanese garden in the 21st century, modern gardens and essence of Zen and gardens outside Japan. 38 gardens are featured with a slight emphasis on traditional gardens in the 21st century. There is also information on the design and construction process of one of the featured gardens with small but detailed photos. A dialogue with the garden creator adds further insight. The text offers plenty of insight into garden making and it is beautifully illustrated with appropriate and clear photos. You'll see all aspects of the garden, site plans which show you the design. In this book you can simply admire the gardens or you could use it to create a design of your own. This is an exquisite book, perfect for all lovers of Japanese gardens. Great for a gift or for yourself. This review first appeared on Karen Platt's book review website.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.9 out of 5 stars
9 reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gardens of a special place.
17 Oct 2012
By wogan
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover
Zen Gardens contains the garden designs of Shunmyo Masuno, a renowned Japanese garden designer. The contents are divided into; traditional gardens, modern and gardens outside Japan.
There are explanations throughout that explain what a Zen garden is and the ideas behind these works of peace and beauty. Although for some, the explanations are sometimes vague, as Zen thoughts from time to time are. It is never really explained what the meaning of "wearing two pairs of straw sandals" is.
The background of Shunmyo Masuno is given, as well as his learning and the historical ideas behind these gardens. For each garden and picture, and for most there are more than one photo, a short description is given. Most gardens have detailed explanations of the design, the plans and several colour photographs. Steps in some of the garden designs are shown, with photos of the placing of the rocks. All of the photos are beautiful and show the magnificence of these designs.
A list of Masuno major works and dates is included as well as a glossary.
You will have a good idea of the beauty of Zen gardens after reading and looking at this book. Those who love gardens, design, Japan and Zen will appreciate this work.
There are explanations throughout that explain what a Zen garden is and the ideas behind these works of peace and beauty. Although for some, the explanations are sometimes vague, as Zen thoughts from time to time are. It is never really explained what the meaning of "wearing two pairs of straw sandals" is.
The background of Shunmyo Masuno is given, as well as his learning and the historical ideas behind these gardens. For each garden and picture, and for most there are more than one photo, a short description is given. Most gardens have detailed explanations of the design, the plans and several colour photographs. Steps in some of the garden designs are shown, with photos of the placing of the rocks. All of the photos are beautiful and show the magnificence of these designs.
A list of Masuno major works and dates is included as well as a glossary.
You will have a good idea of the beauty of Zen gardens after reading and looking at this book. Those who love gardens, design, Japan and Zen will appreciate this work.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Constructing Silence
17 Dec 2012
By Tony Atkin
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover
This exquisite, beautifully organized book demonstrates that the art of Zen gardens continues into contemporary times in the work of Shunmyo Masuno, as demonstrated by his traditional and modern designs, and works outside Japan - all imbued with the powerful sense of silence, flow, and contemplative beauty that has characterized the Zen garden from its beginnings in the Muromachi Period (1336-1573). In addition to many beautifully illustrated projects and an informative interview with Masuno, there is a fascinating illustrated section on his garden design and construction methods. This book is highly recommended for the practicing landscape architect, scholars of garden design, and all of those who appreciate the sensuous delight and abstract tactility of the Zen garden.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Zen Gardens, The Complete Works of Shunmyo Masuno
19 Dec 2012
By mindfulathena
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover
Wow! What a beautiful and inspirational book. The photos are not only illustrative of the gardens and the zen concepts behind them, but they are gorgeous too! I learned so much about the concepts of Japanese gardens and especially how Japan's leading garden designer, Shunmyo Masuno, incorporated elements of his own zen practice into the designs. This book made me want to see all of the gardens in person and also gave me the desire to construct a zen garden at my home. At a minimum, I have a better understanding of all that is going on with Japanese gardens in the US. In addition, it inspired me to keep up with my mediation practice; even though I am not going to be creating any zen garderns, this book helped me understand the concept of leaving space for creativity.
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4.9 out of 5 stars
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