Subscribe To This Site
Japanese Landscape InspirationsThe Japanese landscape has been the inspiration to many forms of Japanese art throughout history. These picturesque landscapes form the basis for many Japanese paintings as well as ideas for Japanese gardens.Japanese landscapes have a few special features that form their beautiful views. When studying about inspirations and how to design Japanese gardens I was told to visit the southern Yoshino area of Nara prefecture. Here is the famous Oodaigahara mountains with Mt. Oomine in background: 
It was there that I was able to truly explore the mountainous Japanese landscape that I have seen in many Japanese brush paintings. I really understood why this area became the home to many “mountain ascetics” (practitioners of Shugendo). With the uniquely formed mountains and the mist that is ever present, this is a mysterious and spiritual spot. I underwent spiritual training on Mt. Ominesan with other Shingon Esoteric Buddhist monks and Shugen-jya. Here is a picture of me being lowered off the side of a cliff, which I have to say unfortunately wasn’t the scariest of the spiritual training exercises we did that morning! 
These wonderful rock formations have been the base for Japanese scenery. Another essential aspect is the coastline. High cliffs and rocks with beaches are also an inspiring scenic view. Personally I love the sunsets of the Inland sea and the rough rocky coastlines of the Japan Sea. 
In this picture taken in the Hokuriku area of Japan, you can see how these natural rock formations can become the inspiration for Rock Gardens and Japanese sumi-e paintings. The harsh winds on the tops of the mountains and on the coasts shape the pine trees into beautiful works of art. The Bonsai tradition is often replicating a tree like in the following picture I took in Yoshino.
One of the keys to shaping a pine tree in the garden is to give it a naturally aged look as well as a weathered look, something that is naturally scene in the previous picture. Similarly, in Japanese art we aim to achieve this type of natural balance that is asymmetrical. The Japanese landscape provides us with unique features of nature that can inspire creativity that can be expressed in various ways. A look at Japanese art or gardening will show that it has influenced people for centuries and continues to be a source of imagination. Favorite Japanese LandscapesDo you have a picture or story of your favorite Japanese Landscape? Share it! Visit the Japanese Gardens page More on Bonsai |
FREE Serene Gardens Newsletter
Our E-zine keeps you up-to-date with the latest news and helps you create your own serene space.