Medieval Floral Designs (International Design Library)

A Japanese Garden Journey, by Judith D. Klingsick, is a guide to Japanese gardens unlike any other. Its focus is on the traditional elements that give the gardens qualities that are spiritual and sensuous, as well as timeless. Each of the elements, including torii, drum bridges, carp stones, stone lanterns, cranes and others, is given a full description, with its history and traditional spiritual meaning, as well as a sensitively composed photograph of the element in its garden setting. Concluding each section is a brief poem reflecting on the mood induced by it. It is a journey that leads the reader to understanding and heightened sensitivity to the true beauty that lies within every traditional Japanese garden. At the end of the book there is a listing of every public Japanese garden in the United States and Canada. Since the book is small enough (8 1/2" x 8 1/2") to carry, and is available in paperback as well as hardbound format, it makes a wonderful companion to carry along on a visit to any one of the gardens listed.