The austere, enigmatic rock gardens of Kyoto, Japan's ancient capital, have never ceased to fascinate garden lovers.
Covers important examples of Japanese Zen temple gardens, from the 14th to the 20th century. Richly illustrated with newly commissioned photography by the award-winning Alex Ramsay. With appeal to those interested in gardens, garden design and garden history. 140 colour images.
'Kawaguchi explains tradition, imagery and meaning with great skill. And the images, by regular world-garden-travelling photographer Alex Ramsay, are up to his normal high standards. In fact, on many of the pages, you find yourself wondering whether you'd have rather had more text (so interesting) or bigger photos (so delightful).'
'Its erudition is beautifully balanced by Alex Ramsey's exquisite photography'
'Excellent new book...beautifully illustrated. Packed with fascinating insights, from tea gardens to the history of the beloved azaleas. It is an illuminating blend of the ever-changing past and the present. If you are going to visit Kyoto's gardens, read her account first.'
'the beautiful images throughout this book are an exquisite window on the symbolic landscapes that were created in the grounds of Zen Buddhist temples in centuries past'
'This is an important source for understanding one of the world's greatest garden traditions'
With illuminating words and ravishing photographs by Alex Ramsey, this new volume is a dream-like tour of some of Japan's most sublime horticultural masterpieces'
