A Japanese Garden Journey: Through Ancient Stones and Dragon Bones [Paperback]

Judith D. Klingsick (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1999

A guide to the elements that compose classic Japanese gardens, this book offers a unique understanding of Japanese landscaping. In full-colour photographs, descriptive text and poetry, it explores the traditional facets that give to Japanese gardens their sensuous, spiritual and ultimately timeless qualities. Like the gardens themselves, these pages inspire a deeply felt response in the reader. Each page dwells intensively upon an architectural, sculptural or landscape element. One or more of the author's superb photographs may accompany a description that explains the meaning, mythology, symbolism, horticultural or religious reference and history of that garden component. The journey suggested by the title begins with the entrance to the garden, meanders through paths artfully planned, and leads to or through or past exquisite sitings. These capture the peace, beauty and harmony intentionally and thoughtfully created for that purpose by the masters of Japanese garden landscape.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"An enlightening sojourn through the timeless beauty of the Japanese garden, blending photographs and poetry with cultural explanations." -- Benjamin N. Chu, Curator, Seiwa-en, Missouri Botanical Garden

"An enlightening sojourn through the timeless beauty of the Japanese garden. It brings depth and meaning to the garden." -- Seiwa-en Book Review Magazine, July 10, 1999

"The best guide for viewing or studying the "bones" of Japanese gardens." -- Owings Mills Times, July 30, 1999

From the Publisher

We were fascinated by the author's magnificent photographs, her poems and her wealth of knowledge on the subject of traditional Japanese gardens. We started with the title "Ancient Stones and Dragon Bones," and then decided to make this the subtitle of the book. Why Dragon Bones? Read the flap copy for elucidation of this fascinating element of Japanese lore!

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 40 pages
• Publisher: Stemmer House Publishers (October 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0880451475
• ISBN-13: 978-0880451475
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 8.6 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,782,249 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #26 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Home & Garden > Gardening & Horticulture > Landscape
  • #83 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > History > Asia > Japan

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A poetic gift book, October 21, 2008

By 

Ms. Garden "JG Garden enthusiast" (Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Japanese Garden Journey: Through Ancient Stones and Dragon Bones (Hardcover)

This is not intended to be a how-to book, it's more of a meditative gift book . . . it uses the aesthetic of the Japanese Garden in short poems that illuminate some of the myths and legends surrounding this artform. The photos are well composed and show features from public Japanese Gardens in the U.S. It also provides a great list of public JGs so that you can visit them for yourself when you travel.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not Much Content, Pictures are dated and not vibrant, July 15, 2008

By 

Katie (Sunnyvale, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Japanese Garden Journey: Through Ancient Stones and Dragon Bones (Paperback)

Very short book with some pictures and notes on Japanese Gardens. If you're looking for a book with photographs or ideas for a Japanese Garden, this is not it. Pictures are faded and not inspiring at all.