Sakuteiki: Visions of the Japanese Garden: A Modern Translation of Japan's Gardening Classic

by Jiro Takei, Marc P. Keane

Learn the art of Japanese gardening with this classic, fascinating text.

The Sakuteiki , or "Records of Garden Making," was written nearly one thousand years ago. It is the oldest existing text on Japanese gardening--or any kind of gardening--in the world. In this edition of the Sakuteiki, the authors provide an English-language translation of this classic work and an introduction to the cultural and historical context that led to the development of Japanese gardening. Central to this explanation is an understanding of the sacred importance of stones in Japanese culture and Japanese garden design.

Written by a Japanese court noble during the Heian period (794-1184), the Sakuteiki includes both technical advice on gardening--much of which is still followed in today's Japanese gardens--and an examination of the four central threads of allegorical meaning, which were integral features of Heian-era garden design. For those seeking inspiration to build a rock garden or just better understand the Japanese stone garden, the Sakuteiki is an enduring classic.

Genres: Japan, Nonfiction, Gardening, Japanese Literature, Classics, Asia, How To

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1090

Reviews

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very clear and helpful edition. The introduction had to cover vast ground, which occasionally made it hard to follow, but I it was helpful to readers like me with no background whatsoever. The introduction drew in a number of passages from the text, so that when I got to it I had context for passages that would have been completely enigmatic otherwise.

[Alex G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not sure why I picked this book up, and the content was quite dry throughout, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. A nice little insight into ancient Japanese mindsets around Buddhism and gardens.

[Raven]

"'Creating a garden' is expressed as 'setting stones,' ishi wo taken koto; literally, 'the act of setting stones upright.' At the time the Sakuteiki was written, the placement of stones was perceived as the primary act of gardening."

"Unlike modern Japanese gardens, Heian period gardens used fruiting trees such as persimmon, pear and peach as well as chestnut and other nut-bearing trees."

"In the Pillow Book, written by Sei Shonagon in the late tenth century, 121 plant names are mentioned."

"The Cloud island should appear as a trailing wisp of cloud blown by the wind. No stones, no plants--just a white sandy beach is all that is needed."

"It has been said there are many ways to make a waterfall, but no matter what, they should always face the moon, so that the falling water will reflect the moonlight."

[Dale Lehman · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Sakuteiki (Records of Garden Making) is some 1,000 years old, the oldest surviving treatise on gardening in the world. Written in the eleventh century, it provides principles and rules for the construction of the gardens featured in aristocratic residences and temples, including instructions for the use of stones, streams, islands, and waterfalls. It also deals extensively with taboos the violation of which could spell trouble or even disaster for the owner of a residence.

This translation, published in 2008, prefaces the Sakuteiki with extensive historical and cultural notes on life in Japan's Heian period, nature (which provides the inspiration for gardens), geomancy, Buddhism, and the convoluted collection of taboos that developed from varying religious streams and influenced every aspect of life in those times. This background occupies the first half of the volume, with the Sakuteiki and translator's footnotes comprising the second half.

For most of us, it's unlikely we will learn much of relevance to our own gardens from this book. We aren't aristocrats, after all. Most of our properties aren't even a fraction of the size of the gardens discussed here. Still, it's a fascinating read for anyone interested in history, religion, or gardening in general, and some of the principles presented in the Sakuteiki cross cultures and millennia to speak to us today: nature as the inspiration for gardens, gardens as a place for contemplation, the peace and tranquility of gardens. Even if we never build a garden of the scale and complexity of those presented here, it's a interesting read and possibly a source of inspiration.

[Cyndie Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like me are you also finding yourself gardening way more than usual during a global pandemic? Are you a huge book dork? Then please let me introduce you to the oldest extant book in existence on gardening. It is a delight. Also as someone who is trying to walk that fine line between appreciation and appropriation when it comes to using Japanese garden design principles in my own garden, this is a great starting point for understanding some of the philosophy and spirituality behind some the affiliated traditions.

[I. Merey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently got this book as a reference for a project. I was expecting something quite dry (and the actual translation of the 'Sakuteiki,' the ancient Japanese gardening manual), instead, this was more a explanation of the old manual, with generous Heian period references, and many helpful illustrations.

Oh and now I love this book even more, having scrolled down the reviews and seen that it was used as a reference for one of my favorite books of all time (Garden of the Evening Mists, by Twan Eng Tan).

[Frank Ashe · Rating 3 out of 5]

When creating a garden, first be aware of the basic concepts:
* ... create a subtle atmosphere, reflecting again and again on one's memories of wild nature ...

[Heather Hale · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. Of course it's dated but as a gardener who lived in Japan, I loved the history and the thinking behind the gardens. A lot to think about when planning my next garden.

[Katy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A heavily-annotated translation of a Heian-period text on garden design.
The first half of the book contains a lot of background information to put it into context, such as the typical layout of the types of houses to have such gardens and the importance of things like Buddhism, geomancy and directional taboos to their design.
I found this pretty interesting, but it has a lot of typos and punctuation errors.

[Renate]

A reference source for The Garden of Evening Mists

[Angela Jeffs · Rating 5 out of 5]

The earliest book about Japanese gardens known to date. So much explained...