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donpylant

Books worth owning

DonPylant
18 years ago

While it is true, Japanese gardening knowledge has seldom been transferred through books, I believe there are many worth reading, especially for the inspiration. I will mention some with the hope that others will share their favorite titles and why they found them useful.

*Japanese Gardens by Gunter Nitschke (theory and history)

*Secret Teachings in the Art of Japanese Gardens by David Slawson (design and some methodology)

*Japanese Garden Design by Marc Keane (some basics and history)

*Sakuteiki translation by Takei and Keane (simplified exerpts from an ancient Japanese gardening text)

And here's one that holds the spirit of Kyoto for me, although not much on Japanese Gardening technique; The Art of Setting Stones by Marc Keane. I often give this one as a gift to friends.

Comments (31)

  • inkognito
    18 years ago

    I am not one for nit picking Don (!) but do you mean books worth owning or books worth reading?
    I have not read any of the books on your list from cover to cover yet I own all of them and I too like Marc's little book and I wrote and told him so. Remember Mike was always insisting that we get back to the source that he suggested unpopularly might be religious and I think this where the inspiration might best come from. Not particularly religion, I don't mean but to study what inspired this kind of garden in the first place and yes you are right books may be the only way for some of us. But these books may be books of poetry or books that tell a tale or painting or....

  • DonPylant
    Original Author
    18 years ago

    I agree Inky, poetry, flower arranging, art, and religion all are avenues to understanding the culture, history and beliefs influencing the evolution of Japanese Gardening. The books I listed, I have read from cover to cover, but keep referring back to (I do confess a compulsion for horticultural books). These, I am happy to own.

    Inky, could you elaborate on Mike's source ,either here or email? This is not ringing a bell with me. AND don't forget to list at least one book you are glad you own?

  • Gardener_KS
    18 years ago

    Be sure to check out the list of books recommended by forum participants since the forum began. It's available when you click on FAQ at the top of the forum. And thanks again to gregoryjohn for compiling all that info!

  • inkognito
    18 years ago

    Mike (yama) was exploring the sutras (Buddhist texts), mainly the diamond sutra, because he wanted to see if they contained the essence or be a source for knowledge pertaining to gardening. Marc Keane writes that he finds the brush strokes he makes in caligraphy getting back to the origin of shapes used by the old masters.
    A book I am glad to own? Christopher Alexanders "A timeless way of building," because it helped (is helping) me to understand the meaning of the built environment (including Japanese gardens).

  • Niwashisan
    18 years ago

    The magic of trees & stones - Saito & Wada
    also relevant to another current topic and a very useful, interesting read (if you are a moss freak like I) Moss gardening - Goerge Schenk

  • Herb
    18 years ago

    Graham - I've just looked up George Schenk's book on Moss Gardening & promptly decided that I must have it. An order's been placed. Herb

  • DonPylant
    Original Author
    18 years ago

    Inky, I looked for a sneek preview of The Timeless Way of Building, but Amazon doesn't offer much info. I hope it is the library. And Niwashi-san, if Schenk's book on Moss is as well done as his Shade Gardening book, I'll buy it.

  • asuka
    18 years ago

    Along with Saito & Wada's Magic Of Trees and Stones, I'd say.. 'Japanese Stone Gardens - how to make and enjoy them' - by Kazuhiko Fukuda..

    These make wonderful companions, and are my two all-time favourites

    Jack

  • kobold
    18 years ago

    Very hard to pick the most loved ones, to add to the list

    Japanese Gardening Hints by Saito
    Modern Japanese Garden by Shunmyo Masuo

    art relates to gardens ( I belive that most of us received and enjoyed Mike's gift, the copy of a painting ). I found the following books to be very interesting and useful, just to mention a few

    Japanese Cabinetry by David Jackson & Dane Owen
    Japonism- The Japanese influence on Western art since 1858 by Siegfried Wichman
    Monet & Japan by National Gallery of Australia
    Books about Hokusai and Hiroshige ( my personal favorites)

    Andrea

  • Niwashisan
    18 years ago

    Herb and Don, take care with this book, ownership will have you well on the road to being a moss freak.

    Graham

  • keithnotrichard
    18 years ago

    I recommend "The Magic of Trees and Stones" by Katsuo Saito and "A Japanese Touch for Your Home." Keane's book, "The Art of Setting Stones," has nothing to do with gardening. The title is misleading.

  • Herb
    18 years ago

    KNR -

    I don't understand why you would say that Keane's book, "The Art of Setting Stones" has nothing to do with gardening, while at the same time you recommend the book by Saito & Wada "The Magic of Trees and Stones". The latter devotes a good deal of attention to the use of stones in gardens.

    So does the JOJG - it often carries articles about the desirability of rocks in Japanese gardens. For example, in issue #34, where it discusses how to start a Japanese garden, it says -

    "A good portion of your early budget shopuld go towards geology. And we mean BIG rocks - the kind that can only be moved by heavy equipment like cranes and track-hoes."

    Among the books that I like are Japanese Gardens Revisited published by Tuttle, and Landscapes for Small Spaces by Katsuhiko Mizuno.

  • DonPylant
    Original Author
    18 years ago

    KNR, re-read my recommendation on Art of Setting Stones. It does not address design or construction, but certainly shares delicious experiences relating to them! Still one of my favorites!

  • nachodaddy
    18 years ago

    KNR;

    Send me a list of your "worthless books". If I do not already have them, I will buy them for forty cents on the dollar. This is a better deal than what you would get on eBay or at a used bookstore.

    If someone took the time to put together a book then I will give it a shot. Seems fair.

    However, I am not interested in the "paint by numbers, this rock absolutely HAS to go there or it is WRONG" types of books. I prefer to think for myself...............

    Also, no JOJGs. See above paragraph for clarification.

    Michael

  • inkognito
    18 years ago

    Let's see if we can decipher this "not being a dick'' thing.
    Clearly its post has nothing to do with the Keane book, is it an anagram perhaps?

  • coachsmyth
    18 years ago

    just a small point
    Gardner has quite correctly pointed out we have compiled an extensive list of very worthwhile books in the groups FAQ. Are we starting again or did I miss something in the original post? If so, Phillip Cave's "Creating Japanese Gardens" was very helpful for me. A bit short on text but fabulous pictures
    If I missed something- I'm sorry

  • DonPylant
    Original Author
    18 years ago

    coachsmyth, so desu ne.

    The existing book list is useful, but this post was in response to a comment from another post about the lack of good JG books in English. I just wanted to share some favorites that may not be on the list and to hear from others about their favorites (and what those favorites had to offer). I think the forum is all about information and resources, right? I would suggest these be considered for addition to the list AND include comments on them from the posters.

    This has absolutly nothing to do with the fact that my birthday is coming up and I will prpbably receive book gift certificates : )

  • gerald
    18 years ago

    Don, I mentioned this one earlier in another post. It was published in Japanese and then a few months later in English. Lots of of photos and how to info.

    Inside Japanese Gardens - From Basics to Planning, Management and Improvement.

    Hard to purchase, but likly available from your local Japanese Embassy or consulate General office.

    Gerald

  • Paulvideo
    18 years ago

    Friends,

    First a disclaimer - I am extremely biased in making this assessment. David Slawson is a good friend and co-writer of my new video "In Full Circle" (see JOJG).

    Before starting the project I knew almost nothing about Japanese gardens except that they had a deep, almost mystical effect on me. I read and re-read David's book and really began to "see" and understand how a well designed and maintained garden can profoundly effect your mental and emotional state. I also understood that these gardens can change the way we look at the natural world - they actually help train our eyes and hearts to see and feel the beauty around us.

    Paul

  • DonPylant
    Original Author
    18 years ago

    You are right, Gerald. I can't find it.

  • ScottReil_GD
    18 years ago

    Hard to imagine the list without Josiah Conder's seminal work. My personal fave is Japanese Garden Construction by Samuel Newscom...

  • Lee_ME
    18 years ago

    Another one worth owning is "The Garden as Architecture: Form and Spirit in the Gardens of Japan, China, and Korea" by Toshiro Inaji.

    Lee

  • chris74robinson
    18 years ago

    I agree that "Magic of Trees and Stones" is worth owning. But at more than $100 it was also worth borrowing from the library.

  • DonPylant
    Original Author
    18 years ago

    Thanks to all (including GregoryJohn!) for the book comments. I promise this thread was started in the interest of sharing opinions on good English language books on Japanese Gardening...

    It seems that between my book gift certificates and my new mosquito eating machine, I will have a comfortable and informative birthday!

    Domo arigato gozai-mashita!

  • Lee_ME
    18 years ago

    Don and others ---

    I just ordered the book Gerald recommended, "Inside Japanese Gardens --- from Basics to Planning, Management and Improvement" from Amazon.co.jp. The cost is 4,762 yen. Shipping (by sea mail) is 1,000 yen plus 300 yen for each book (I ordered a bunch of books to make it more worthwhile). The ISBN number for the English edition is 4620906360.

    I do read Japanese and can type it with my computer, but I think the website is supposed to be set up so you can use it with only English. Look for the buttons that say "show this in English" or something like that.

    If anyone would like to order it and needs help with the Japanese website please send me an e-mail and I'd be glad to help. Also, if a bunch of people are interested I could place an order for a bunch of copies and distribute them from here. It is a bit pricey at the present exchange rate.

    The other books (in Japanese) I ordered are: several either written or edited by Shunmyo Masuno (that guy who someone claims is waiting for all of us suckers to be born minute by minute) and a couple of annotated versions of the Sakuteiki (the classic 11th century garden-building manual).

    The books will not all be available to ship until late September ("Inside Japanese Gardens" takes Amazon.co.jp 3-4 weeks to get) and shipping is supposed to take about 4 weeks, so it'll be something to look forward to in the fall...

    Lee

  • gerald
    18 years ago

    Hi Lee, glad to hear you were able to find it. Hopfully there will be another printing shortly.

    As the book was commisioned by the Japanese Gov't for a specific use, you will notice that the English edition was not written for English speakers, rather the concentration was to translate the true meanings and understandings into English for non Japanese readers, meaning for people who likley speak English as a second or third language.

    Gerald

  • kobold
    18 years ago

    mosquito eating machine, eh? so you got it!

    Happy birthday Don!

    Andrea

  • DonPylant
    Original Author
    18 years ago

    Thanks Andrea. I borrowed one for 2 weeks. Two hundred Asian Tiger mosquito females in two days convinced me! I have one on order.

  • patjonking
    18 years ago

    I like "The Art of the Japanese Garden" by Tatsuo Ishimoto.

  • ScottReil_GD
    18 years ago

    Teiji Itoh's 'Gardens of Japan' is very good...

  • yama
    18 years ago

    Hi all
    Cady and I working on the book . sort of DIY book. I have learned how to sharpenig own tools as aprentice what to use sharpening tools.
    How to make simple tools which Japanese gardeners make own. How to make trypod ladder your self and how to use tripod to handle large boulder or move large tree your self.
    Pruing, transplanting etc..... Many of you never been to Japan , never saw Japanese gardeners working on the site. Most books are written by scholars, landscape archtects and only few books are written by gardners.

    I have been in USA for over 30 years now I also understand life style of America and Cannada( thanks for Edzard,Tony Herb, and Andrea ^l^)
    I have asked many months ago to you guys, what kind of informations you are looking for.also partecepating GW jgarden forum past few years, we have good idea what you are looking for and informations you can not find in the other books.
    We are going to Write about things learned as aprentice why and how and basic Japanese gardeing skills which can apply to any western garden.
    Use lots of drawings and photos...
    we are open to any sugestions.........................mike

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