Creating Your Own Japanese Garden
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Informative, specific, but ultimately not what I was looking for
  • Good book to get good ideas
  • A Keeper
  • Great illustrations and detailing
  • Useful, Beautiful and Interesting
Creating Your Own Japanese Garden
Takashi Sawano
Manufacturer: Japan Publications Trading
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

GeneralGeneral | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
Garden DesignGarden Design | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Japanese GardensJapanese Gardens | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 087040962X

Book Description

The strong horizontals of bamboo reflected in a dark circle of water; the rhythmic clap of the deer scarer; the contemplative beauty of waves created in sand: combinations of nature and art that soothe and uplift the spirit. Your vision of a Japanese garden need not be confined to Japan. Here
is a fully comprehensive guiide which will enable you to capture in your home or office environment the elusive spirit of the Japanese garden-no matter where you live.

The author, a Japanese landscape architect who has been living and designing Japanese gardens in the West for many years, will show you step by-step how to accomplish this ideal utilizing your own special environment and using materials which are readily available in the West. Since moving to the UK
in 1974, the author has designed and created many Japanese gardens, from small private gardens to large public spaces of over two acres. It is from this direct experience that he draws the material for this book. The step-by-step instructions are easy-to-follow, and also included are many drawings
and photographs to illustrate the points that are made.

"Many books on Japanese gardens can be found in bookstores and libraries, but most do not take into account the different environments found outside Japan nor the diverse materials available worldwide. They tend either to be translations of books written by Japanese landscape architects and
gardeners living and working in Japan, or books written by those who visit Japan to research the gardens, with the intention of introducing them to the rest of the world... These books are ideal for learning about the history and appearance of Japanese gardens, but lack the practical advice
necessary for constructing your own garden.. .I believe that as the interest in and understanding of Japanese culture continues to spread, so will the popularity of and desire for Japanese gardens. I hope that this book will give pleasure to all those of you who, like me, are captivated by the
gardens of Japan, and that it will help you to create a garden of your own that you can enjoy day after day."

Customer Reviews:

3 out of 5 stars Informative, specific, but ultimately not what I was looking for.......2007-09-17

I think this a good book for someone ready to start digging now to create their Japanese garden, someone who knows exactly what they want to do. The beginning of the book was interesting, and provided good information about and reasons for the different elements of a Japanese garden - such as water, stone lanterns, bridges, and plantings.
I was hoping for a little more inspiration through photographs and seeing more examples of gardens people have created. This book gets down to the step-by-step details of building fences and dry riverbeds for example.
The book does have a nice materials/plant/planting guide in the back which I took a few notes from. But I'm in a brainstorming phase with my garden not the brass tacks phase, so I did return the book and will look into a book that is more photography-based and example-based, than how-to.

4 out of 5 stars Good book to get good ideas.......2007-08-16

After reading this book most of the way through, I thought it provided a lot of good information. My intention was not necessarily to design a true Japanese garden but wanted to create a garden and atmosphere that reflects the feeling and general appearance of a Japanese garden while still maintaining my herb and vegetable garden. The book gave a lot of pictures that were helpful to create that atmosphere in an American environment. Most if not all of the design elements were explained as to why and how they help to create the desired effect. Additionally there was a full chapter that described the history behind Japanese gardens, and I found that very helpful. Since reading that chapter I have picked up and English translation of the books described in that chapter. I felt this book was really helpful and plan to use it to landscape my backyard.

One thing to keep in mind, is this is not a step by step how to book. It is designed mostly to give you an overview and an understanding of what elements to use, and how to use them.

5 out of 5 stars A Keeper.......2007-04-27

Have many books on Japanese gardening - this is the one that finally helped me begin to answer the "but how will I design and situate one in my space?" question. Nicely written, direct, and just enough examples to help you get moving!

5 out of 5 stars Great illustrations and detailing.......2007-01-11

My daughter was recently proposed marriage to in a japanese garden. They are planning to build a similar garden in their backyard,so this book
was a Christmas present.
She was thrilled and we went thru the book as she mentioned several
items in the book that were relevant.
It has alot of very nice illustrations and "how-tos",more than some that I looked at.This author was careful to include all aspects of the japanese garden. Plenty of detail.Very happy with my purchase.

4 out of 5 stars Useful, Beautiful and Interesting.......2007-01-10

This book provides useful guidance in planning a Japanese Garden with well written text and beautiful photographs. It inspires one to find a way to incorporate the concepts into Western style homes.
Ortho's All About Creating Japanese Gardens (Ortho's All About Gardening)
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Build Your Japanese Garden and spent your free time golfing
  • Good for beginners
  • For inspiration, start here
  • Great intro
  • amazingly beautifuls pictures
Ortho's All About Creating Japanese Gardens (Ortho's All About Gardening)
Ortho
Manufacturer: Ortho
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0897214897
Release Date: 2003-01-01

Product Description

BOOK ORTHO GUIDE TO CREATING JAPANESE GARDENS BOOK BOOK

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Build Your Japanese Garden and spent your free time golfing.......2007-06-12

I bought serveral books about creating Japanese gardens. This book by far the best one that I had. I built a Japanese style Rock Garden so I don't have to mow my lawn. My back yard is built based on some of the pictures and tips I read from this book. The fun part is that you put in your hard work and built the garden you wanted which pays off when your guests give you thumb up. I spent about $5000 on the materials and hours of my own labor on the project. Now I can spent my weekend golfing instead of mowing my lawn. Ouch! My back still hurting from all the hardwork.

5 out of 5 stars Good for beginners.......2007-04-04

The book is easy to read and explains the whole concept of Japanese gardening. I learned with it and will be using it to plan my Japanese garden. Very pleased customer!

5 out of 5 stars For inspiration, start here.......2007-02-19

I've always wanted to have a Japanese Garden but never got around to doing it. I picked up this book at the library and, WOW, it has really inspired me! Not only am I now drafting up plans to turn a corner of my yard into a Japanese Garden but I showed it to a neighbor and he's thinking of making his backyard into something like the courtyard garden on page 20. I'll probably get a library of books on Japanese Gardening but this book will be the first one I'll buy.

5 out of 5 stars Great intro.......2006-02-01

I got this book from the library and was pleasantly surprised at the details and useful, practical advice on conceiving and executing a japanese garden. The book contains detailed instructions on how to lay out, build, select plans for, and maintain a Japanese-inspired garden. It talks about rocks, rock gardening, ponds, water plants and fish, paths, stepping stones, gates, and plants and plant selections. I found it really helpful in getting ideas to give to our landscape architect. I would recommend this book for anyone that is going to actually build (rather than just enjoy looking at pictures of) a japanese garden.

5 out of 5 stars amazingly beautifuls pictures.......2005-08-02

This book is one of the best I ever buy about gardening and landscaping. The pictures alone worth the price.
They gives details to build your garden, makes pounds and falls and it seems so easy that I am starting my own right now.

They also list the kind of trees and plants to uses.

Buy this book with confidence.
A Japanese Touch for Your Garden
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • The Fundamental of Building Japanese Garden!
  • Touch ?
  • Just what you need
  • Wonderful book
  • Best Guidebook for Planning Your First Japanese Garden
A Japanese Touch for Your Garden
Kiyoshi Seike
Manufacturer: Kodansha International
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Garden DesignGarden Design | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 4770016611

Book Description

Here is a concise introduction to the practical aspects of making a Japanese garden. Whether your garden is a spacious suburban lot, an office countyard, or a tiny inner-city backyard, you will find here hundreds of creative but time-honored ways to make maximum use of the space you have.

You will learn how to lay stones and pathways and how to create intriguing sand patterns like the ones in Zen temple gardens. You will learn about Japanese lanterns, miniature pagodas, water basins, gates, and walls, and will be shown step by step how to make a bamboo lattice fence. Notes on the
care of bamboo, moss, and grass are provided as are names of native North American plants and trees that can be substituted for conventional Japanese varieties. Schematic layout plans, detailed how-to explanations, and over 130 color photographs of Japanese gardens old and new give you ideas for
endless variations.

Thoroughly up-to-date in its approach and based on the principle that a garden must satisfy the gardener, not a set of inflexible guidelines, this book encourages you to choose freely from the wide range of traditional Japanese design elements that suit your needs and tastes. Whether you live in the
country, city, or somewhere in between, you will discover here numerous ways to transform-simply, inexpensively, and with your own two hands-that back porch, corridor, or yard into an intimate, tranquil oasis, one that will reward your planning and work with a rich and everchanging beauty.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars The Fundamental of Building Japanese Garden!.......2007-06-12

This book shows how to use essential elements such as rocks, plants, laterns, and boulders etc., within a space. The diagrams in the book illustrated how to use those elements to balance and compensate each other and make your garden looks much bigger and more appealing to the viewers.

A great book to read before you start your weekend garden project. This book will give you inspiration and give your spirit alift. I built my Japanese Rock Garden after reading this book and other book that I bought "Ortho's All About Creating Japanese Gardens". A great garden will add value to your home so did my garden -- a friend of mine who is a realestate appraiser told me that I must added about $30,000 to my property although I spent only about $5000 on the materials.

Highly recommanded for anyone who are interested about Japanese Garden or do it youself gardener!!!!!

1 out of 5 stars Touch ?.......2005-08-11

I think people have "japanese" gardens or any other type of garden but they for example don't have like english garden with a japanese touch. I don't have this book and i will not buy it, because i want a JAPANESE garden nor mexican-japanese-english-french or anything else garden

5 out of 5 stars Just what you need.......2005-08-02

The title of this book is a bit misleading, in that it does not offer tips on adding a "Japanese touch" to your existing garden, but rather goes about explaining how to create a Japanese-style garden in the space available to you. In this manner, it is an extremely capable guide and leaves you with the confidence that you can accomplish building your own Japanese-style garden.

"A Japanese Touch for Your Garden" tells both the basic elements of a Japanese garden; rocks, plants, water, artificial elements, and also provides a blueprint for laying out and constructing a garden using these elements. Although packed with lovely pictures, the book is straight-forward and bare-boned, giving you the essentials of what you need. The authors briefly touches upon garden philosophy and such, but acknowledges that there are other, thicker books for the esoteric matters and they will focus on the practical.

The different sections of the book deal with things such as stone lanterns, bamboo fences, bridges, plants and trees...basically everything you will need. The focus is one how to select and use these available elements for the existing space you have to work with, and how to maximize them for the effect you want to achieve. The rear of the book also contains a guide of Japanese gardens in the US that you can visit, and suppliers of the various items you may want for your garden.

An excellent book, it is exactly what you need if there is a spare portion of your house or yard where you would like to put a Japanese garden. For a more deeper, spiritual look at Japanese gardens, look elsewhere. But to be inspired and begin construction on your own "World in Miniature," this is the place to start.

4 out of 5 stars Wonderful book.......2005-07-19

This book contains wonderful pictures and offers many ideas for a Japanese style garden or balcony.

5 out of 5 stars Best Guidebook for Planning Your First Japanese Garden.......2003-08-24

Not a coffee table glamour book, not a glossed-over editorial toss-off destined for the remainder bin. This is quite simply the best guidebook for the amateur of the Japanese garden who wishes to try out the concepts at home.

It can be very frustrating to take home some fancy book on Zen gardens, only to find that it contains no real help for creating one. This book's real, step-by-step, practical advice is what anyone is after. It does not pretend to be the end-all of the art, & rather it admits this right from the title (A Japanese TOUCH...) This book will get you the right LOOK.

I found especially useful the diagrams of how to get balance (especially through rocks) within a space. There are some very good illustrations of bamboo fencing, too. Botanical suggestions and lists of suppliers are also helpful, but these lists are not exhaustive. You can achieve the basic framework with this book, though. I have yet to find a better Japanese gardening book... room for improvement is in expanding the above lists and adding practical suggestions for more ambitious, larger landscaping. But this will get you the basics.

Bonus delight is the first entry, a mood-setting piece on one man's contemplation of mountains and forests... all to be found in his tiny Japanese garden.

Grab a copy and use it and love your results!
Niwaki: Pruning, Training and Shaping Japanese Garden Trees
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Niwaki
  • Better than expected.
  • Finally!
Niwaki: Pruning, Training and Shaping Japanese Garden Trees
Jake Hobson
Manufacturer: Timber Press, Incorporated
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Garden DesignGarden Design | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0881928356

Book Description

Over the years, Japanese gardeners have fine-tuned a distinctive set of pruning techniques that coax out the essential characters of their garden trees, or niwaki. In this highly practical book, Western gardeners are encouraged to draw upon the techniques and sculpt their own garden trees to unique effect. After first discussing the principles that underpin the techniques, the author offers in-depth guidelines for shaping pines, azaleas, conifers, broadleaved evergreens, bamboos and deciduous trees. Throughout the text, step-by-step illustrations accompany the instructions, while abundant photographs and anecdotes bring the ideas surrounding niwaki vividly to life.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Niwaki.......2007-08-31

I have a very nice Japanese maple and a few other ornamentals and have been looking for a book that describes ways to prune to achieve alternative desirable effects. I have some excellent books on pruning of trees and shrubs, but this one is clearly different from the pack, and very good as well. If you are looking for guidance on how to achieve the look and feel of Japanese ornamentals, this book is the one you need.

5 out of 5 stars Better than expected........2007-07-23

This book is a must have for the Japanese garden enthusiast. Books about pruning and training trees for the Japanese garden are hard to find. Thanks to the Jake Hobson for writing this excellent book.

5 out of 5 stars Finally!.......2007-06-10

Very good book for those of us who love our Japanese gardens and want to incoporate Niwaki techniques. Highly recommended book to add to your collection of books on Japanese gardens and their care. There's not another one like it on the market today.

I love that the author is a sculptor and realized that his art could be translated into a living form of trees.

Japanese Gardening in Small Spaces
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Japanese Gardening in Small Spaces
  • Japanese garden
  • AUTHENTIC AND INSPIRATIONAL
  • Great Ideas... Too Complex
  • An Excellent Manual
Japanese Gardening in Small Spaces
Isao Yoshikawa
Manufacturer: Japan Publications Trading
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0870409778

Book Description

A practical guide to planning and constructing a Japanese garden. Step-by-step instructions explain every facet, from displaying plants and rocks to mastering drainage and lighting, to creating bamboo fences and hedges.

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Japanese Gardening in Small Spaces.......2007-05-14

This is an excellent book for anyone planning to build their own garden. The instructions for creating the various elements of the garden made it look easy, and the descriptions given for items that become a part of the garden I found quite interesting. I would have liked even more finished garden pictures as I was only looking for inspiration. But, even with out as many pictures as I would have like, the book was helpful and my garden is now complete, giving me the tranquility I was looking for.

5 out of 5 stars Japanese garden.......2006-12-19

You will find inside a lot of inspiration on how to make things work. Exceptional "do it yourself" recommendations. Its a real guidebook for japanese gardening lovers.

5 out of 5 stars AUTHENTIC AND INSPIRATIONAL.......2005-10-07

I picked up about ten books on Japanese gardening at the library and this book was by far the most inspirational. The author gives definitions for technical terms and also shows step by step illustrations to recreate various photographs within the book. He also shows how to make a bamboo fence which I thought was really neat and I am actually going to give it a try. This is the only book I decided to purchase out of the lot from the library and I plan on giving a few copies as gifts.

2 out of 5 stars Great Ideas... Too Complex.......2004-06-09

As much as I liked the pictures and the possibilities of the gardens, there's no chance that the average person could even attempt some of the Japanese style gardens. The designs are beautiful but you really do need a LOT of room to do any of these designs. The idea of a calming, tranquil space to sit would be wonderful but not on my budget.

5 out of 5 stars An Excellent Manual.......2001-10-10

Sorry, my english is no good. I'm a chilean landscaper and I bought this book about 2 month ago and it can help me in many ways for my job. Have a lot of details of how to do fences and other triks with good photos.
Japanese Maples
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • A must have
  • Aborist and Horticultural essential
  • Japanese Maples
  • Japanese Maples Review
  • Newer is Not Always Better
Japanese Maples
J. D. Vertrees , and Peter Gregory
Manufacturer: Timber Press, Incorporated
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0881925012

Book Description

This is among the first books published by Timber Press, and after more than two decades it continues to be one of our signature bestsellers. A comprehensive source of information on the culture, identification, and nomenclature of Japanese maples, it describes each of the 320 cultivars of Acer palmatum and 60 cultivars of other Japanese maple species, plus briefly mentions 150 promising new plants. The index lists every horticultural name published, ensuring that Japanese Maples will continue to be the foremost reference book on this wonderfully versatile collection of ornamental plants.

This fully updated third edition has been revised by Peter Gregory and is even more international than its predecessors. It adds approximately 100 important new maple hybrids and selections that have been introduced since the last revision by Vertrees in 1987, bringing to nearly 400 the total number of plants described. Nomenclature has been updated to conform to current standards, many additional photographs have been included, and descriptions have been rearranged for greater ease of reference.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars A must have.......2007-08-31

Though I have not digested the entire volume yet, I am constantly consulting its pages. As a fairly novice collector of these plants, I have found this book to be indespinsable. The introduction of new cultivars as well as many new photographs make volume three a superior reference.

4 out of 5 stars Aborist and Horticultural essential.......2007-06-10

A very informed and illustrated book with almost every 300+ cultivar imaginable. Also gives cultivar no longer cultivated, with all the names of cultivar including many misnames used and cultivar which have been produced which are not confirmed or are instable. The book has a detail list of species in brief form for quick reference when planting of considering cultivar.I look forward to the updated with the newer cultivar.
The only thing lacking is more detail on growing and producing cultivar. eg.grafting,cutting, and pruning, etc which you have to get from other texts.

5 out of 5 stars Japanese Maples.......2007-03-12

THE reference book on Japanese maples. Excellent information and pictures. Very usual for my purposes in selecting trees to fit my property and conditions.

5 out of 5 stars Japanese Maples Review.......2006-08-13

This is an excellent book. J.D. Vertrees did a wonderful job of classifying the various Japanese Maples. The revision and expansion done by Peter Gregory has added to J.D.'s original work.

The pictures are excellelnt. This is a must have book for every Bonsai/Japanese maple enthusiast.

4 out of 5 stars Newer is Not Always Better.......2006-04-24

Before you consider purchasing this book, I strongly suggest you try to find the second edition, which, while less comprehensive, is better organized. In addition, a comparison of the two finds that some of the best images in the second edition were not carried over to the third.
The worst shortcoming of both editions is the lack of images of fully grown trees. It's nice to know what the leaves look like but, if you are trying to identify a particular plant or select one for your garden, you need much more than is provided here. Of course, with the incredible number of Acer Palmatum cultivars, it is unlikely any one book can do more than scratch the surface.
Nevertheless, the second edition is the first book on Japanese Maples I would buy - as a matter of fact, I just bought one after mine wandered.
Art of the Japanese Garden
Average customer rating: Not rated
    Art of the Japanese Garden
    David E. Young
    Manufacturer: Tuttle Publishing
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Hardcover

    Garden DesignGarden Design | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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    ASIN: 0804835985

    Book Description

    Winner of the 2006 American Horitcultural Society Book Award!
    Gardening has reached new heights of sophistication, and this book profiles a number of the most notable gardens in Japan and beyond. The goal of a Japanese garden is to suggest a landscape, to depict famous natural scenes, or to evoke a particular artistic quality or atmosphere. Graveled courtyards, early aristocratic gardens, Zen gardens, and several other elements all play key roles in these extravagant landscapes.
    The Art of the Japanese Garden is a valuable resource for anyone interested in gardening, landscape design, and Japanese art and culture.
    Landscapes for Small Spaces: Japanese Courtyard Gardens
    Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    • Nice pictures
    • faulty product
    • Beyond the basics, Japanese Garden Book
    • A book to inspire you
    Landscapes for Small Spaces: Japanese Courtyard Gardens
    Katsuhiko Mizuno
    Manufacturer: Kodansha International
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Hardcover

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    ASIN: 4770028741

    Book Description

    Enjoy it for its sheer beauty or use it for inspiration while creating your own small landscape garden.

    Japanese gardening is the art of arranging plants, rocks, lanterns, and basins in an open or, as here, an enclosed space. According to the aesthetic principles long prevailing in Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan, even two rocks arranged in a tiny, enclosed space can be considered a garden. This
    type of garden is called a tsuboniwa, and Kyoto has long being considered its birthplace and home. So it is not surprising that photographer Katsuhiko Mizuno, wishing to capture the best of such small gardens, should turn to Kyoto and its palaces, temples, shrines, and town houses.

    The highlight of the book is the 100 photographs of these tsuboniwa-snow overlying sand patterns; coloring maple leaves; flowering cherry trees; lanterns, basins, fences; gardens featuring wisteria, azalea, hydrangea, Indian lilac, camellia, and daphne. Each photo is accompanied by an insightful
    caption pointing out the outstanding characteristics of the garden in question.

    An appendix gives Mizuno's instructions for creating a tsuboniwa, based on his personal experience. His account of the underlying concepts, design, choice of plants, and practical procedures will prove a invaluable reference for all garden creators, from amateur to professional.

    Customer Reviews:

    4 out of 5 stars Nice pictures.......2006-06-29

    This book is not only a great picture book, but it also provides wonderful descriptions of the Japanese gardens featured - succinct and informative. If you like landscaping with the Japanese feel, you'll enjoy this book.

    5 out of 5 stars faulty product.......2006-02-24

    The book is excellent but the dust cover was torn obviously before despatch as the packaging was good.
    The disappointment was that there was no method of complaint other than returning the product. From Australia to USA not practible.

    5 out of 5 stars Beyond the basics, Japanese Garden Book.......2006-01-19

    I've been through a lot of Japanese gardening books, and many of been a little repetitive, covering the basic design elements and what not. Mizuno has put together a great "Intermediate" read once you've had enough of the basics. The pictures are some of the best available of authentic Japanese gardens, and the captions are short and to the point but with just enough plant identifications to be useful to someone in their planning stage.

    Perhaps the best feature of this book is the introductory discussion on the "Omoteya style" town home (traditional Japanese merchant class town home). The text suggest there is a conservation movement to this vanishing style of Japanese home that mirrors the affection American's are beginning to culture towards the Bungalow. As the Omoteya styled homes share similar dimensions with the American city lot (diagrams are provided with the text), this book is a fabulous resource to urban dwellers looking to incorporate the Japanese garden concept to their grassy postage stamp.

    5 out of 5 stars A book to inspire you.......2003-10-31

    Beautiful pictures and good text. It doesn't contain "how to do" tips but there is a chapter on how the author build one tsuboniwa in a Kyoto house.
    Ikebana: Japanese Flower Arrangement
    Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    • excellent
    • definitely not the best book on ikebana
    • Decent how to, but lacks explanation of why
    • great book for those who need English explanation of basics
    • Modern Ikebana
    Ikebana: Japanese Flower Arrangement
    Reiko Takenaka
    Manufacturer: Japan Publications Trading
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Hardcover

    Dried FlowersDried Flowers | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
    Flower ArrangingFlower Arranging | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
    GeneralGeneral | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
    GeneralGeneral | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
    Japanese GardensJapanese Gardens | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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    1. Ikebana: Japanese Flower Arranging for Today's Interior Ikebana: Japanese Flower Arranging for Today's Interior
    2. Easy Ikebana: Floral Accents for the Home Easy Ikebana: Floral Accents for the Home
    3. Enchanting Ikebana: Step-by-Step Japanese Flower Arrangements Enchanting Ikebana: Step-by-Step Japanese Flower Arrangements
    4. Zen in the Art of Flower Arrangement: The Classic Account of the Meaning and Symbolism of the Japanese Art of Ikebana Zen in the Art of Flower Arrangement: The Classic Account of the Meaning and Symbolism of the Japanese Art of Ikebana
    5. Keiko's Ikebana: A Contemporary Appoach to the Traditional Japanese Art of Flower Arranging Keiko's Ikebana: A Contemporary Appoach to the Traditional Japanese Art of Flower Arranging

    ASIN: 0870409581

    Book Description

    A unique approach to creating flower arrangements that are inspired by and faithful to your own ideas, with substantial advice on how to make the most of ikebana in daily life. 92 arrangements are on this book with step-by-step photo instructions for beginners to understand.

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars excellent.......2007-02-19

    I teach classes in regular floral design and needed something to be a little different and this was it.

    2 out of 5 stars definitely not the best book on ikebana.......2004-02-22

    The problem with this book is that most of the shown arrangements are plainly not beautiful. They don't look balanced as real ikebana should look, containers don't seem suitable for flowers, color combinations are not always harmonious, and in many cases it is not clear why this is called ikebana at all. There are some pieces of useful information such as diagrams, tools, and tips, but I don't think it reasonable to buy the book for those 10 pages (like I did).
    There is a really great book on ikebana: "The art of arranging flowers; a complete guide to Japanese ikebana" by Shozo Sato, but it is out of print I am afraid. For examples of good ikebana look at these sites: http://www.nihonkoryu.org/, http://homepages.stmartin.edu/fac_staff/elias/index.htm, http://www.ikebanahq.org/

    3 out of 5 stars Decent how to, but lacks explanation of why.......2004-01-26

    I got this book to go with Origami Flowers by Hiromi Hayashi. Reiko Takenaka does a good job explaining how to make an arrangement that looks like the pictures, with step by step instructions and clear diagrams. Some of the containers seem to clash with the flowers, and some of the special occasions arrangements are lost in translation for someone not intimately familiar with Japanese culture like me. My only real criticism, however, is that the book does not really explain any principles about why and how and what looks good - it's more a menu to find an arrangement that looks nice in the picture and repeat it.

    5 out of 5 stars great book for those who need English explanation of basics.......2001-12-29

    This is a clearly written, well thought out explanation of the basics of Ikebana. The photographs demonstrating the combinations of materials, and their height relative to each other, are great as examples for beginners. Many ikebana teachers don't speak English well, so this book is useful for a cross reference for something you were taught in class. One problem - there are many schools of ikebana so the book has to be quite generic in its explanations, which is not necessarily how your particular school may approach a certain principle. But again, as a study supplement to a class, it works well.

    5 out of 5 stars Modern Ikebana.......2000-08-12

    Many ikebana books shows a very traditional way of arranging flower. This book, however, shows a simpler and more modern way arrangement with the result of nice and unusual looks of flower arrangement. The step-by-step is helpful and quite detailed. The book shows lots of different variations for cool vases or containers as well.
    Classic Bonsai of Japan
    Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    • Classic Bonsai of Japan
    • A very good book
    • THIS IS THE DEFINITIVE BOOK ON THE ART OF BONSAI
    • Classic Bonsai of Japan
    • spectacular large format color photographs
    Classic Bonsai of Japan
    Nippon Bonsai Association
    Manufacturer: Kodansha International
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Hardcover

    GeneralGeneral | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
    Japanese GardensJapanese Gardens | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
    TopiaryTopiary | Techniques | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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    1. Bonsai Master Class Bonsai Master Class
    2. Bonsai with Japanese Maples Bonsai with Japanese Maples
    3. The Secret Techniques of Bonsai: A Guide to Starting, Raising, and Shaping Bonsai The Secret Techniques of Bonsai: A Guide to Starting, Raising, and Shaping Bonsai
    4. The Art of Bonsai: Creation, Care and Enjoyment The Art of Bonsai: Creation, Care and Enjoyment
    5. The Complete Book of Bonsai The Complete Book of Bonsai

    ASIN: 4770029926

    Book Description

    Enter the fascinating world of bonsai, the centuries-old gardening art form of cultivating trees as potted plants. Refined to a high art in Japan, bonsai offers not only the familiar gardening delights but also, at its highest levels, a philosophical and aesthetic communion with nature.

    Here in CLASSIC BONSAI OF JAPAN, the Nippon Bonsai Association, Japan's preeminent voice of the bonsai tradition, introduces a collection of the finest bonsai pieces to be found in Japan today-some of them presented to a Western audience for the first time. Over 130 full color and 48 black-and-white
    plates of priceless specimens with informative commentary provide a definitive tour of the bonsai world-from a 15-year-old flowering cherry to a majestic 1,000-year-old Yezo spruce. The notes for each piece offer insights into the balance, style, harmony, and overall aesthetic effect along with
    comments on the history of its cultivation at the hands of several generations of bonsai masters.

    John Bester brings his intimate knowledge of Japanese culture and sensibility to an elegant interpretation of bonsai art specifically adapted to Western readers. Essays on appreciation, history, and aesthetics further invite readers to enjoy this "natural" art on an informed level.

    A feast for the eyes as well as a lasting monument to the history of an artistic tradition, this deluxe volume is sure to delight the bonsai enthusiast, garden hobbyist, lover of things Japanese-indeed anyone with an interest in looking at art and nature in unison.

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars Classic Bonsai of Japan.......2007-09-21

    Wow! This is what a Bonsai book should look like! The photos are superb. The story on each tree is very helpful I didn't even mind that they were in the back. I could more of this type of book because the photos were high enough quality to be able to see forms. Anyone interested in seeing quality trees should own this.

    4 out of 5 stars A very good book.......2005-07-19

    This book has many great pictures to give the beginners inspirations to pursue this great hobby.

    5 out of 5 stars THIS IS THE DEFINITIVE BOOK ON THE ART OF BONSAI.......2004-03-11

    ________________________________________________________________________________________________

    Please believe me about this book when I say, if you can at all afford it and if you share the insatiable love for this particular art that I have, it will unequivocally be worth every penny. The trees are manicured by the greatest Japanese bonsai masters in the world and the color reproductions are utterly superb. If you do get it or have a chance to look at it, go to plate no. 21 and feast your eyes. Though I realize I'm being very subjective here, this Hinoki Cypress, in my opinion, epitomizes the art and, indeed, the very purpose of bonsai. The narrative reads, "The more one looks at it, the more one's spirit feels purified, as though one were breathing the air of the remote mountains" . . . Amen . . . I just wish I could see it in person, but this is definately the next best thing.

    (Really all of the trees in this book are that way and the inspiration and enjoyment I derive from looking at them is hard to explain)

    Also contained is a wealth of written information. The contents read: Preface by John Yoshio Naka (the premier bonsai master and teacher of America); Foreword: Men and Trees by Hideo Aragaki; The History of Bonsai by Hideo Marushima - subdivided into - The Beginnings and General Trends, The Kamakura and Muromachi Periods, The Edo Period, and From Meiji to the Present; Appreciation and Styles; Bonsai Within the Japanese Tradition; Notes to the Plates; and a List of Bonsai by Type. Some of the reproductions are in black and white, but the vast majority are in color.

    I also recommend this book if you're merely into the appreciation of beautiful things in nature or if you have a love for botany or an affinity for gardening. Whatever the reason, you really can't go wrong with this gorgeous book. Can you tell I like it?

    5 out of 5 stars Classic Bonsai of Japan.......2002-05-09

    An Informative and visually stunning text. This is not just a pretty book. Much can be learned from the subtitles for the bonsai enthusiast and casual browser alike.

    5 out of 5 stars spectacular large format color photographs.......2001-07-26

    Incredible masterpieces of Bonsai, most many hundreds of years old, are displayed in exquisite high-resolution photographs. This book is well worth the money for those seeking to study the world's finest examples of this living art form. An well-written and insightful historical survey is included.

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