Japanese Gardens
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The Seven Principles of Zen
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The Visual Resource Centre has completed processing a collection of 100 slides of Japanese Gardens. These slides are divided into categories which follow the seven characteristics of Zen, which are: Fukinsei, Kanso, Koko, Shizen, Yugen, Dtsuzoku and Seijaku.
A Japanese garden is based primarily on a philosohical concept, rather than a design concept. Therefore it is a work of thought rather than a work of art. However, it appears to us to have expressive meanings in the world of art forms.
FUKINSEI - asymmetry; suggesting things which are irregular; the opposite of geometric circles or squares or of symmetrical balance.
KANSO - simplicity; without gaudiness, not heavy or gross; clean, neat, and fresh, yet reserved, frank and truthful; not ornate or gaudy.
KOKO - austerity, maturity, reduction to essentials; lack of sensuousness; refers to things that are aged, weathered, venerable.
SHIZEN - naturalness, artlessness, absence of pretense and artificiality. It does not mean raw nature. It invovles full creative intent, but should not be forced; unselfconsciousness; true naturalness that is a regation of the naive and accidental.
YUGEN - subtly profound; suggestion rather than total revelation; things not wholly revealed but partly hidden from view; shadow and darkness, hence Yugen involves the shadow areas of the garden.
DATSUZOKU - unworldliness; freedom from use of "compasses and rulers," freeedom from worldly attachments, bondage and restrictive laws. It invovlves transcendence from conventional usage. It is often a surprise element or an astounding characteristic.
SEIJAKU - quietness, calmness, silence and solitude; opposites of disturbance. The characteristic of "stillness in activity" should be strongly felt in a Japanese garden.
The basic philosophy of the Japanese house and garden often resolves itself around these seven characteristics of Zen. Enjoy!
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2008-10-20 11:13:37
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