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Japanese Myths
The English-language world of Japanese gardening is riddled with
misinformation. It's never any fun to expose fraud, but as leaders in
the field we feel compelled to set the record straight. In this
regard, the Japanese Garden Journal publishes what we call a "Myth" article
in each issue. These articles examine common misconceptions and then
present the truth about the REAL Sukiya Living Environment. Many of these Myth
articles are ground-breaking and historically significant. A few of
them are posted below for your benefit:
ZIG-ZAG BRIDGE MYTH This article is about some misinformation about Japanese garden bridges that is often found in badly-written books, on websites, and in public garden brochures.
SECULAR JAPAN This article examines the myth that Japanese people are particularly religious-minded. In fact, Japan has one of the most secular cultures on planet Earth.
DESTRUCTIVE SYMBOLISM by Douglas M. Roth
THE ZEN GARDEN MYTH The so-called "Japanese Zen Garden" is a myth. It is a late 20th Century WESTERN creation that has nothing to do with the Japanese Garden Tradition. While some Westerners may be enamored with the idea of a so-called "Zen Garden" that links Zen Buddhism with the Japanese dry garden aesthetic, it is a fictitious idea. Click here for more articles and information about this topic.
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