Japanese Garden Streams

Stream (May 2012)

What wonderful shades of green.

Anderson Japanese Gardens, Rockford, Il 

            Stones across a stream with a variety of green plants

            Anderson Japanese Gardens, Rockford, Il

     

                Guest House, Sukiya Style

                 Anderson Japanese Gardens, Rockford, Il

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Views of Anderson Japanese Gardens

    Stone lantern and Main Gate (Anderson Japanese Gardens)

    Zen rock garden and deck (Anderson Japanese Gardens, Rockford, Il)
     Colorful Azaleas in bloom.

   Moss on stone beneath the large waterfall. Yellow flag Iris in bloom.
   (Anderson Japanese Gardens)

                  Small still stream with reflection of a red umbrella.
                  (Anderson Japanese Gardens)

Trees in Japanese Gardens

Anderson Japanese Gardens in Rockford, Illinois is fortunate to have a variety of trees, some of which are not found in traditional Japanese gardens, but

are native to the Midwest. The gardeners tried to use some Japanese Black Pines imported from Japan in this garden, but they did not do well here and had to be replaced. Probably due to soil conditions as well as climate.

Scotch Pines are native to the USA and are great trees for Japanese gardens. They can be "cloud trimmed" to make the branches appear to float like clouds. This is especially  noticeable in winter when the snows on the branches do look like white clouds. The Scotch Pines are trimmed of branches to open them up and then the branches are tied down so that they are remain horizontal for a number of years.

This leaning evergreen is an Austrian Pine, the only one in the garden. It is about a 100 years old and was transplanted to the garden from John Anderson's, the original owner of the garden, yard when he lived on a hill above the garden. It was planted leaning out over the pond. Some trees in the garden are planted so they lean. Leaning trees (or rocks) imply motion. They direct visitors in the direction of the path they should travel. 

This is a Japanese Kousa Dogwood native to Asia and used in the garden. It has pointed flower blossoms which appear in late Spring, which differ from the American Dogwood blossom which is round.. The fruit is a red berry, that is edible. 

One of the  limbs from a large tree in the garden began to get lower and lower and looked like it might fall. Fearing it might fall on a visitor the gardeners had to do something. The gardeners wanted to save it and asked Hoichi Kirusu, the Japanese master gardener, for help. He found a long piece of wood at the lumber yard and used it as a crutch under the tree. A cement foundation was poured beneath it so it wont sink any further. He tied it in a special way and it now has become part of the tree. 

                Katsura Tree (Cercidiphyllum japonicum) 

It is a hardwood tree native to China and Japan. It is grown as an ornamental tree and has delicate heart-shaped leaves. In the autumn it produces a scent resembling cotton candy. Very pleasant as you walk by. 

    This Weeping Willow tree has grown from a half inch in diameter at planting to the present large shade tree. Some visitors complain the willow interferes with the view. But it gives the garden a sense of mystery as to what lies beyond. Japanese gardens do not reveal everything at once, but

like to surprise you at every turn along the path. Things are hidden in unexpected places. 

This Chinese scholar was purchased by Hoichi for Anderson Gardens (dating to 1400 AD), perhaps to help us learn why we visit the garden.


A scholar from an earlier period wrote this about his garden:
“I have a country house where there is a spring of pure water, a woods, fruit trees, bamboo, cypress trees and many plants. There is a fish pond, everything to distract the eyes and please the heart.… With my literary friends, we take walks day and night, climb a mountain to view the scenery, and sit by the side of the stream.”  

Gates in Japanese Gardens

This gate was constructed of cypress by Master Carpenter Masahiro Hamada. It  is done in the elegant Sukiya Style. The posts were rough cut in Japan and assembled at Anderson Japanese Gardens (Rockford, IL), with traditional woos joinery (no nails). 

Examples of tongue and grove wood joints

This gate is the type that would be used in a private garden. The gate is low for Westerners because the gate is the normal height for an 11th century Japanese person to enter. It is called the Ageless Gate, because entering makes one younger, until you leave. (Anderson Japanese Garden, Rockford, IL).

Nearby Stone Marker (Furo mon) Ageless Gate 

Rustic Style Gate Kita Mon
This was the main entrance to the garden (above) before the garden was expanded and the large Sukiya Style gate was added. As we enter the garden we put away our daily cares for awhile. (Anderson Japanese Garden, Rockford, IL).





Elements of gardens: Contrast - Complimentary -Cohesiveness - Motion
Contrast 
There is usually a bright sunlit area next to a darker, shady path leading to a small creek and waterfall. 
Soft mosses contrast to hard rocks. 
A zig-zag bridge out over moving water is a contrast to solid land. 


Complimentary:
Large rocks compliment large structures such as buildings or gates.
Meandering paths compliment small streams that also meander. The many shades of green leaves and mosses compliment each other.


Cohesiveness:
The lanterns of different styles, add a cohesive touch. The garden has a connection to the Guest House and the Main Gate by paths. They merge together as one framing that part of the garden.


Motion: 
Streams and curving paths imply motion, whereas straight paths are static.
Leaning trees and rocks imply motion as well. They are placed there to point you in the direction you should travel.

      

Bridges in Japanese Gardens

 I am a volunteer at Anderson Japanese Gardens in Rockford IL, where I answer questions on the garden and point out things of interest that visitors might otherwise miss. I just began as a volunteer this year, so everything is new and exciting. I hope I can provide a few insights into Japanese gardens I am learning from the curator of the garden and the other knowledgeable guides who have been here much longer. I also will be sharing some pictures of the garden I have taken. For more information on the gardens see their website: www://Andersongardens.org.

I am going to share some pictures and comments about the bridges in Japanese gardens. Japanese gardens usually have one or more bridges. Some are stone and some are of wood, usually cedar.

 Stone bridges:

               
          A rustic rural style bridge that blends natural materials into nature.
                           (Anderson Japanese Gardens, Rockford, IL)

                A stone bridge over a very small brook covered with fine gravel. 

                            (Anderson Japanese Gardens, Rockford, IL)

An Earth Covered Bridge along a mountain steam leading to a Tea Garden and Tea House. The path is a metaphor for a journey to a rustic, humble dwelling 

in the mountains far from the city. 

(Anderson Japanese Gardens, Rockford, IL)

Wood Bridges:

            Main bridge leading to the Main Gate and the Pond Strolling Garden.
           It crosses over Spring Creek.   (Anderson Gardens, Rockford, Il)

                               A wood bridge across a small stream.
                               Siberian Irises will  soon be in bloom (May).
             

This is called a Zig-Zag Bridge. The focus of the bridge is bring one's attention to the current moment of time, "being here, now." Only a few rails keep visitors from falling into the pond. Walk with care. Japanese gardens present many contrasts. This is one too, the contrast between solid land and walking over the water. (Anderson Gardens, Rockford, Il)

                  Cypress Bridge leading visitors to the Garden of Reflection.
          This style of garden is a more open garden with several quiet spots
          to sit and reflect on your journey.  (Anderson Gardens, Rockford, IL)

             Countryside Wood Bridge. This bridge crosses the stream that 

             flows from the Garden of Reflection. Irises, Dogwood and Hydrangea 

             border the edge of the stream. (Anderson Gardens, Rockford, IL)

 A Japanese garden is an idealized copy of nature all in one place. Give yourself plenty of time to enjoy its many facets. It will lift your spirit and make you want to return again and again. 

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