Garden Gate
庭門
Definition
A gate that marks the entrance or transition within a garden.
Garden Lexicon
Garden Lexicon
Terms, materials, and craft ideas for reading Japanese gardens.
Entries 100
Water Basin
手水鉢
Definition
A basin holding water for purification.
Bamboo Water Spout
筧
Definition
A bamboo or wooden spout used to guide water.
Waiting Bench
腰掛待合
Definition
A place where guests wait before entering the tea room.
Tea House
茶室
Definition
A small architectural space designed for the tea ceremony.
Veranda View
縁側からの眺め
Definition
The view of a garden from the veranda or interior edge of a building.
Threshold
結界
Definition
An element that marks a boundary or shift in atmosphere.
Approach
アプローチ
Definition
The route leading from the entrance toward a garden or building.
Shade and Shadow
陰影
Definition
Light and shadow that create depth in a garden.
Borrowed Light
光の取り込み
Definition
Using the way light enters a space to shape the garden’s impression.
Viewpoint
視点場
Definition
A place intended for viewing the garden.
Negative Space
余白
Definition
Space left open so that the garden’s elements can breathe.
Ma
間
Definition
The sense of space, pause, or interval between things.
Wabi-Sabi
侘び寂び
Definition
An aesthetic that finds beauty in imperfection, age, and quietness.
Plum
梅
Definition
A flowering tree that blooms in early spring with fragrance and seasonal character.
Japanese Iris
花菖蒲
Definition
A flower that adds seasonal color near water or wetlands.
Fern
シダ
Definition
A plant that brings soft green texture to shady and moist places.
Camellia
椿
Definition
An evergreen flowering tree that blooms from winter to spring.
Cherry Blossom
桜
Definition
A flowering tree that symbolizes spring scenery.
Japanese Red Pine
赤松
Definition
A pine with a lighter form and reddish bark.
Planting Base Diagnostician
植栽基盤診断士
Definition
A specialist qualification for diagnosing soil and planting base conditions.
Street Tree Pruner
街路樹剪定士
Definition
A qualification related to the knowledge and skill of pruning street trees.
Kei Truck
軽トラック
Definition
A small truck often used by gardeners to carry tools and branches.
Crane Truck
ユニック車
Definition
A truck with a crane used to lift and move heavy stones or trees.
Aerial Work Platform
高所作業車
Definition
A vehicle or machine used for safer work at height.
Ladder
脚立
Definition
A tool used to reach higher branches and trees.
Blower
ブロア
Definition
A tool that uses air to gather leaves and debris.
Pruning Saw
鋸
Definition
A saw used to cut branches too thick for shears.
Watering
水やり
Definition
Providing water according to plant needs and season.
Fertilizing
施肥
Definition
Adding nutrients needed for plant growth.
Leaf Cleaning
落ち葉清掃
Definition
Collecting fallen leaves to maintain appearance and safety.
Garden Cleaning
清掃
Definition
Cleaning leaves, branches, and debris after garden work.
Tall Tree Work
高木作業
Definition
Specialized work involving pruning or removing tall trees.
Branch Lowering
枝下ろし
Definition
The careful reduction of large branches.
Stump Removal
抜根
Definition
Removing the stump and roots left after cutting down a tree.
Seasonal Care
季節管理
Definition
Garden care adjusted to seasonal changes.
Pest and Disease Management
病害虫管理
Definition
The management of pests and diseases that affect plants.
Tree Vigor
樹勢
Definition
The health and growth strength of a tree.
Planting Base Diagnosis
植栽基盤診断
Definition
The assessment of soil and ground conditions for planting.
Drainage
排水
Definition
Design and maintenance that prevent excess water from remaining in the garden.
Soil Improvement
土壌改良
Definition
Improving soil conditions so plants can grow better.
Mulching
マルチング
Definition
Covering soil with material to reduce drying and weeds.
Root Ball
根鉢
Definition
The mass of roots and soil kept together when moving a plant.
Transplanting
移植
Definition
Moving a tree or plant to a different location.
Trunk Wrapping
幹巻き
Definition
Wrapping a tree trunk with material for protection.
Straw Mat Wrapping
こも巻き
Definition
A winter practice of wrapping tree trunks with straw mats.
Snow Protection Ropes
雪吊り
Definition
Winter ropes used to protect branches from the weight of snow.
Pebble Beach
州浜
Definition
A shallow pebble shoreline created at the edge of a pond.
White Sand
白砂
Definition
Sand that creates brightness and a clean sense of empty space.
Gravel
砂利
Definition
A ground material used to create empty space or suggest water.
Dry Stream
枯流れ
Definition
A stream-like element represented with stones and gravel instead of water.
Pond Edge
護岸
Definition
The edge treatment of a pond or stream.
Island
島
Definition
A garden element formed as an island within a pond.
Bamboo
竹
Definition
A plant material that brings verticality, sound, and lightness to the garden.
Japanese Maple
モミジ
Definition
A tree that brings seasonal color and delicate foliage to the garden.
Japanese Black Pine
黒松
Definition
A strong pine species often used in Japanese gardens.
Tree Doctor
樹木医
Definition
A specialist qualification related to diagnosing and conserving trees.
Landscape Gardening Technician
造園技能士
Definition
A Japanese national trade skill qualification related to landscape gardening.
Landscape Construction Management Engineer
造園施工管理技士
Definition
A Japanese national qualification related to the management of landscape construction work.
Brush Cutter
刈払機
Definition
A power tool used for cutting grass and weeds.
Chainsaw
チェーンソー
Definition
A power tool used to cut thick branches and trunks.
Hedge Shears
刈込鋏
Definition
Shears used to shape clipped shrubs and hedges.
Pruning Shears
剪定鋏
Definition
A basic gardener’s tool used for cutting branches.
Vacant House Garden Care
空き家の庭管理
Definition
The maintenance of gardens at vacant or unoccupied houses.
Garden Closure
庭じまい
Definition
The process of reducing or reorganizing a garden that has become difficult to maintain.
Tree Removal
伐採
Definition
The work of removing unwanted or hazardous trees.
Weeding
除草
Definition
The removal of unwanted plants to maintain garden space and planting health.
Annual Garden Maintenance
庭の年間管理
Definition
Seasonal work that keeps a garden healthy and beautiful over time.
Yarimizu
遣水
Definition
A shallow stream of water running through a garden.
Waterfall
滝
Definition
A water element that brings movement and sound into the garden.
Hedge
生垣
Definition
A living boundary formed with plants.
Bamboo Fence
竹垣
Definition
A bamboo fence that creates boundaries and background within a garden.
Garden Path
園路
Definition
A path that shapes the order of walking and the change of views.
Bridge
橋
Definition
A garden element that connects spaces and changes viewpoints.
Sand Ripples
砂紋
Definition
Patterns raked into sand or gravel to suggest water and movement.
Shakkei
借景
Definition
The technique of borrowing scenery beyond the garden into its composition.
Daimyo Garden
大名庭園
Definition
A large garden created for feudal lords, especially during the Edo period.
Pond Strolling Garden
池泉回遊式庭園
Definition
A strolling garden organized around a central pond.
Strolling Garden
回遊式庭園
Definition
A garden style designed to be experienced by walking through changing views.
Tsuboniwa
坪庭
Definition
A small courtyard garden created within a limited space.
Tea Garden
茶庭
Definition
A garden designed to shape the approach and quietness of the tea experience.
Roji
露地
Definition
A quiet garden path leading to a tea room.
Artificial Hill
築山
Definition
An artificial mound or hill that suggests natural terrain within the garden.
Borrowed Scenery
借景
Definition
The idea of incorporating scenery outside the garden into its composition.
Karesansui
枯山水
Definition
A dry garden style that represents landscapes using stone, gravel, and sand.
Stone Arrangement
石組み
Definition
The craft of arranging stones to create structure and symbolic scenery.
Planting
植栽
Definition
The placement of plants to create seasonality, depth, and a relationship with daily life.
Clipped Shrubs
刈込
Definition
A technique of clipping shrubs to shape the garden’s outline.
Thinning Pruning
透かし剪定
Definition
A pruning method that thins branches to create light and airflow.
Pruning
剪定
Definition
A garden craft that shapes light, air, and form rather than simply reducing tree size.
Niwaki
庭木
Definition
A garden tree shaped and maintained as part of the scenery.
Pine
松
Definition
A symbolic garden tree that expresses form, time, and continuity.
Moss
苔
Definition
A plant element that brings humidity, age, and stillness to a garden.
Tsukubai
蹲踞
Definition
A low water basin used for purification in a tea garden.
Stone Lantern
灯籠
Definition
A stone object that adds height and a quiet focal point to the garden.
Stone Path
延段
Definition
A stone path made with cut or natural stones.
Stepping Stones
飛石
Definition
Stones that guide walking rhythm and the direction of the gaze.
Landscape Stone
景石
Definition
A stone placed as a focal element within the garden scenery.
Stone
石
Definition
An element that forms the structure and visual pauses of a garden.
Pond
池
Definition
A central water element in a Japanese garden.