Creating Your Own Japanese Garden (Hardcover)

~ Takashi Sawano (Author) "The differences between Japanese and Western gardens are as vast as the differences between the two cultures..." (more)
Key Phrases: rustic pole, dry garden, stone water basin, Silver Pavilion (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Written by a Japanese landscape architect who lived and worked overseas, this book offers detailed step-by-step advice on how to design and construct Japanese gardens in various environments, using only materials widely available in the West.

About the Author

TAKASHI SAWANO was born in Shizuoka, Japan in 1948. His love of nature and the Japanese landscape expressed itself at a very early age, making his choice of career a simple one. He received his degree in ornamental horticulture from Minami Kyushu University in 1972. After traveling throughout the USA and Europe, he finally settled in England where he has lived for the past 25 years. He is the United Kingdom's foremost designer of Japanese gardens and his work can be seen in private homes, commercial developments and public parks. Whilst his gardens are true to the original Japanese traditions, he adapts them to suit the climate, environment and materials of their particular setting which makes his work unique. He is also a master of ikebana, which he teaches and demonstrates. He and his wife live near London with their two cats.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 120 pages
• Publisher: Japan Publications Trading (December 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 087040962X
• ISBN-13: 978-0870409622
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 8.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #264,028 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

242 of 247 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The easy way to have your own Japanese garden!, January 25, 2000

By	Saskia Lichtenstern (Boston, America) - See all my reviews

I've always wanted to have my own Japanese garden but whenever I bought a book on the subject it was just too complicated and complex to understand. Takashi Sawano has managed to write a book for those of us who aren't born gardeners! It's easy to understand and now I have a fabulous Japanese garden that all my friends rave about. I really can't recommend this book enough. If you want an authentic Japanese garden that looks like it's straight out of Japan then buy this book and you can do it all on your own!

39 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting, even for non-gardeners, April 11, 2005

By	Tony Hughes "stellarossa, From Fear to Flatte... (Cincinnati, Ohio United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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I think of this book as Japanese Gardening for Dummies. I'm not a particularly experienced gardender however I was able to follow how and what I should do to create my Japanese garden and, just as importantly for me, why I should do this.

Other books may provide more history but if your aim is to build a Japanese garden, this may be the book for you.

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A practical yet beautiful guide. Indispensable., May 14, 2006

By	Frances Crawford (Edinburgh) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Like many others I have long craved the simplistic beauty & calming ambience of japanese garden design thinking I could neither afford bringing in professionals nor summon the skill to execute one myself........then i bought this book. Using Mr Sawano's expert guidance & exquisite knowledge to easily lead me through my own design project i have created my very own dream garden. I have loved every minute of the process -so much so that I have even volunteered to make over my friends garden for him!! The books still sits proudly on my coffee table, but even better is that through my window I have the real thing to enjoy. I am so looking forward to my first summer with it.