A Guide to the Gardens of Kyoto [Paperback]

Marc Treib (Author), Ron Herman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 18, 2003

Designed for the layman as well as the professional, this concise yet comprehensive guide provides both practical information and theoretical insights into the design of the Japanese garden. Kyoto, the capital of Japan for over one thousand years, possesses a richness of garden art without equal as a living chronicle of Japanese cultural history and environmental design. Following the introductory essays are individual entries for more than fifty temple and palace gardens. The text is augmented by an excellent selection of photographs, historical prints, maps and color plates.

Editorial Reviews

Review

The book's design is refreshingly simple and uncluttered, and as a guide is easy to carry around....[it] provides a solid, and at times charming, introduction to the extraordinary gardens of Kyoto. -The East

About the Author

MARC TREIB is Professor of Architecture at the University of California, Berkeley, a practicing designer, and a frequent contributor to architecture, landscape and design journals. His books include Modern Landscape Architecture: A Critical Review (editor, 1993); Space Calculated in Seconds: The Philips Pavilion, Le Corbusier and Edgard Varese (1997); Garett Eckbo: Modern Landscapes for Living (co-author, 1997); and The Architecture of Landscape, 1940-60 (editor, 2002)

RON HERMAN is a landscape architect specializing in residential and estate gardens, with his office in San Leandro, California. After receiving his degree in landscape architecture from the University of California, Berkeley, he studied the history of Japanese gardens at Kyoto University. He has lectured widely on Japanese landscapes and been the recipient of two Japan Foundation fellowships for garden research. His professional work has been extensively published.

Product Details

• Paperback: 202 pages
• Publisher: Kodansha USA; Revised edition (December 18, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 4770029535
• ISBN-13: 978-4770029539
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #317,344 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #11 in Books > Travel > Asia > Japan > Kyoto

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The only comprehensive guide to the gardens of Kyoto, April 4, 2006

By 

William Will (USA, France and Japan) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Guide to the Gardens of Kyoto (Paperback)

This book is an indispensible aide to anyone planning a trip on his own. This book contains over 50 individual entries describing the gardens of Kyoto and environs, grouped by geographic location within the city. Overview maps for the different districts show the approximate location of the individual gardens, so that the traveller can put together itineraries for daytrips in the Kyoto area.

Each entry gives details of opening hours, historic background and special features of the garden described. The name of the garden and its location are additonally specified in Japanese characters, making this book the ideal travel guide for those embarking on a trip to Kyoto.

There is a limited number of photos, so that those wanting to plan a trip using the guide might consider referencing other books with numerous color photos to pick the specific gardens they are interested in.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Guide to The Gardens of Kyoto, Marc Treib and Ron Herman, January 5, 2005

By 

Gerard Taaffe (Hyogo Prefecture, Japan) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Guide to the Gardens of Kyoto (Paperback)

Don't leave home without this book! Anyone who is planning a trip to Japan (resident foreigners included) and has even the slighest interest learning about the Gardens of Kyoto should buy a copy of this superb book, which is small enough to carry in your shoulder bag. The book contains gives the balance of detail,giving good a historical background and landscape points overview. This is a buy you will not regret. Well done to the authors.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Useful Guidebook, June 5, 2009

By 

Ronin - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Guide to the Gardens of Kyoto (Paperback)

I've met Ron Herman and he is one of the most talented landscape gardeners and an authoritative western expert on Japanese gardens in particular. Kyoto does not change fast, so even though the book is old this is still a highly valuable guide for anyone planning on visiting this remarkable city. This guide book describes all the major gardens in the 5-districts and their surroundings, and will help you decide what you want to see and how to get there. He also offers itineraries to help plan you trip.

The book has many good color and b/w photos, and numerous diagrams to give you an idea of what to expect. It also offers a brief history of Kyoto and the gardens, and describes the various styles. If you are visiting Kyoto for the first time, do a web search and find a good ryokan, or traditional inn for your stay. The Japanese understand service like no other, and this will significantly enhance your experience. They can be expensive and you'll get what you pay for (avoid Yachiyo Ryokan, its not worth the price and they're rude to westerners in a subtle and very Japanese way, like sticking you in the noisiest room when the place is empty or telling you to come back if you arrive a little early).

I also recommend Diane Durston's book "Old Kyoto", which has good cultural info and all the great places to shop & eat. You can skip the big name guide books if you get these two. Have a great one!