Customer Reviews

In a Japanese Garden

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A lovely little book; reading it is like a meditation. The woodcut art suits the Zen simplicity of the text well. After getting my own copy, I was inspired to give it as a gift to several friends (and will to several more). It's a nice reminder that you can find peace wherever you are.

"In a Japanese Garden" is a delightful book with many thoughts that inspire us to look within, find the peace, the inner garden, and reflect that perfect place out to the world. After buying my own copy I have also given it as a gift and will again in the future. If you will allow me to "be the path," I encourage you to walk through this little garden again and again.

This book is a must have for everyone. The words take you in, the intricate woodcuts are beautiful and together they deliver peace. I am the director of a Montessori school and I purchased 6 books, one for each classroom. The teachers were so excited and the children just love them.

Marvelously contemplative. A few minutes spent with this meditative writing will transform your mood!

I first purchased this little book from the Chicago Art Institute with the intention of cutting it apart. I planned (and still do!) to frame several of the pages for my dining room. The thing is, it is impossible to keep this book around long enough because it is so beautiful. I have replaced it twice again and been unable to resist giving it as a gift. By all means buy this book, but I recommend that you buy at least three!

I purchased this book after I discovered it at a local spa. It is truly excellent.

Every so often I pick up this small book with it's simple, inspiring poem to relax and center myself. I also like the woodblock prints illustrating the book. The poem reminds me to step out of busy and into relaxation by admiring the beauty around. And if none is immediately available, the beauty we can conjure up on our minds and spirits. It also reminds me of the impermanence of life. "Be the leaf. Fall gracefuly when your time comes to let go." At the end of the book is a short explanation of the Japanese garden and the meaning of some of the items that may be contained within. I plan to get some beautiful paper, draw or paint a picture and place the poem along the side. This book would make a beautiful gift. Enjoy.

I can't believe this is selling used for pennies. I am not normally an impulse buyer of "inspirational" stuff, even in the very elegant Japanese bookstore where I bought this full price nearly seven years ago, but...every word is useful, and the woodcuts are perfect--each one as much a meditation as the words. "Be the rain. Wash away, cleanse, forgive." "Be the seasons. Welcome change." "be the pebble. Let time shape and smooth you." And at the end, "Be the leaf. fall gracefully when your time comes to let go."

It's probably easy to make fun of Zen wisdom ("...Grasshopper") but I have found this simple little book as profound as five years of a (Christian) prayer/bible study group (it is very inclusive--each culture has some version of a Japanese Garden of wind/breathe of life/spirit, etc and this book is open to that).

Anyway, well worth buying--as a book, as a little piece of art, as a guide to life. I bought it for my husband a few days before we got married, but he's not exactly Mr. Introspective, and I probably bought for myself even then--it is just a perfect little book.

This is the 3rd copy of In a Japanese Garden I have purchased. It is out of print but has been easy to buy as a used book. My copies have been in excellent condition and shipped quickly. I love this little book. The wood prints are simple and magnify the written message of tranquility and peace.

Enjoy this little book for it's woodcuts and the journey it will take you on. I plan to buy additional copies, both to give to those who are special to me and also so that I can have some pages framed and hung. It contains remarkable insightful thoughts on life. A great gift for anyone experiencing transition in their life.