NIWA

Garden Lexicon ・ Garden Styles

Stone Garden

石庭

ishiniwa

In a word

Stone Garden is a garden style that defines how a Japanese garden is composed and experienced.

Overview

Stone Garden describes a way of composing and experiencing a garden. Depending on the relationship between stone, water, plants, buildings, and paths, a garden may be walked through, viewed from a room, or contemplated quietly.

A gardener's perspective

Stone Garden provides a framework for reading the whole garden. It helps explain why stones, water, plants, and architecture are arranged as they are.

How to observe it in a garden

When observing Stone Garden, look at the stone’s form, direction, height, and surrounding space. Notice where it stops the eye and what view it guides you toward.

Also known as

Stone Garden

Related terms

References