That is a good question..... not a lot out there condensed in a single format. From using the hood of a 74 Dodge Dart to move big stones to make your own tripod ladder out of hickory. Lining holes with carpet scraps before putting in the liner to cloud pruning black pines. Most of that knowledge is "trial by fire" and passed to others orally.

In the past, there has been talk about some of the professionals on this board putting together something.

To keep this rolling, what would you want to be included in this book??? Stones?, plants?, how to tie knots and make fences?, pond construction?

In my mind, it would be very difficult to put this all in one volume.

Michael

Archer, which number(s) of the Journal of Japanese Gardens do you recommend ?

INKognito and Michael, I know that such practices normally go orally, and one learns by practising, not reading. I’m not looking for help right now, but I just wonder whether such books exist.

Another aspect I really miss in most books about JG is the evolution of the gardens.

In summary, I look for books which can be titled "A Tribute to the Workers", not to the garden designers.

(i'm a newbie in this forum)

Sorry to stray from your post Ron.

Cheers Jando

I think Loraine Kuck's book contains a wealth of information and a small amount of slanted information. Her misconceptions are explained very well and fairly in Wybe Kuitert's book, Themes in the History of Japanese Garden Art. According to Mr. Kuitert, Ms. Kuck was apparently unduly influenced in her ideas about "Zen" gardens by a small group of Japanese people, and she failed to understand the political implications of what she was being told.

By the way, "Chris74Robinson" --- it's considered bad editorial policy to trash authors who are dead (like Loraine Kuck) and cannot rebut your criticisms. That's one of the reasons its a good idea to be specific and tactful about your criticisms.

Lee

That's a bunch of bull.

It's also interesting to note that you think it's ok for YOU to say things like "Kuck's book had some slanted information" and "Kuck was unduly influenced" but it's not ok for me to say such things.

If you're going to go around preaching about editorial policy, you ought to at least honor your own sermons. As for me, I'm going to continue to say whatever I want to say. I think Kuck's book is filled with myth and superstition. I don't recommend it to anyone.

Your extreme thinking is evident once again. It is what I object to in your approach to Japanese gardening and in your editorial policy at the magazine.

If you reread my post you'll see that I didn't say you should never criticize the works of dead authors. I said that it is good editorial policy to be specific and tactful when you do it.

Your editorial policy has always reflected brilliantly your belief that it's your right to say whatever the heck you want to say about anyone and anything.

And it is truly your right to do so.

It continues to strike me as odd, however, that you complain so bitterly about the lagging rate of subscriptions to your magazine, when you repeatedly condemn all attempts by everyone to explain how you might make the magazine more moderate (tactful) and palatable to its readers.

The policy of manufacturing experts and punishing true experts for failing to subscribe and for voicing views with which you disagree also strikes me as counter-productive to increasing subscriptions.

But I guess it's more important to you to have your say than to promote the appreciation of Japanese gardening and to see your magazine succeed.

Lee

Andrea

As for me, I'm always happy with the opinions that I read in that magazine. To me, they are a voice of reason, while the rest of the fruit loops are out there in their "Zen Garden" loony land.

As for books about sweat and tears, "The Magic of Trees and Stones" is always a pretty good choice.