Overview of Japanese Garden History

During the Asuka time (538-710), gardens were theoretical to express Buddhism and Taoism through replicating the mountainous regions in China (Japanese Lifestyle). Ruins of these types of gardens are established in Fujiwara and Heijyo castle towns (Japanese Lifestyle).

During the Heian period (794-1185), gardens shift from solely on behalf of religious beliefs to becoming, “a place for ceremonies, amusement, and contemplation” (Miller). Gardens began to enclose mansion that had the shinden-zukuri style (Japanese Lifestyle). In this style, the garden was situated at the front of a building, also known as the south side (Japanese Lifestyle). As part of the garden fashion, there was water flowing through imitation passages that eventually spilled into ponds with little islands in them (Japanese Lifestyle). Very few of these gardens contain survived to this day, and thus, are definitely a rarity in modern history.