Let's give it a try steve: It seems that there are some essential elements in a Japanese garden (I offer the picture below as an example of what type of garden I am describing), these are stones, water (or mountains and streams) and ...
Enclosure seems important.
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Thanks Ink. I think that the garden shows that enclosure is important to contain your view and consideration. Also part of the enclosure is not as you would normally think (high screen) but the pebble lake encloses by being barren.
I don't get the position of the bench. It appears that one should sit facing to the right. I don't see an obvoius (read inviting) way to get there and the bush prevents you from sitting that way. The "Y" shaped "rivers" look to be made of rounded stone that would not be used as a path to approach the bench.
One can also see the stylized landscape. If it is a stylized landscape, what is the tall conifer and are we sitting on top of the mountain looking down on the world. That's an unusual vantage point for a Japanese" garden from my experience.

The picture wasn't presented for any other reason than to show a 'Japanese Garden' as a real thing as opposed to an ideal and to offer a reference point, it was certainly not meant to suggest a model. We could analyze this garden and its 'viewpoint' at a later date but for now are we not talking about the ingredients of a Japanese garden? I just wanted to clarify or simplify which style of 'Japanese garden' I was talking about.

I think that the type of garden that you have show as an example is one that many would be interested in and would have wide appeal.
If we agree on that, I would like to discuss how to make one if there is interest. I started with identifying the area available and that may not be the best way. I believe that you are saying that idenfication if the essential elements of a Japanese garden is the starting point. These elements can be scaled to fit the area. I think that you need both so I'm OK either way.
Stones, water and enclosure. Add evergreens?

Well, it's been a week. It looks like this forum isn't welcoming enough for people to "risk" participation.
I guess it is overly ambitious to tackle:
What type of Japanese garden do I want?-list the common types and their characteristics/parameters
How do I go about building each type?-what special techniques/attributes are involved?
What techniques/attributes are common to many or all types of Japanese gardens?
Maybe all you need is the author's opinion in books. I see garden design as a creative process not necessarily bound by one person's opinions or taste.

Steve, there seems to be a parallel discussion, see 'colour'.

Thanks Ink-I'm on it.
Researching "gyo" ratio as it relates to tonal value blend.