With the pace of our lives growing faster and more complicated by the day, peace, mindfulness, and tranquility might seem like a pipe dream. Who has time to slow down, decompress, and relax with so much on the go?
In fact, research shows that unplugging from our devices and busy schedules can have a hugely positive impact on our mental health. And spending time in a garden, greenspace, or forest is proven to help. Buddhist Japanese monks were wayyyy ahead of us on this front, developing garden design styles specifically intended to evoke peace and mindfulness since the Heian period, over a thousand years ago.
There are traditionally four distinct Japanese garden styles, and rocks are critical to them all! In this post, we’ll uncover how you can use zen garden rocks to create your garden paradise.
TL;DR
- ‘Japanese garden’ and ‘zen garden’ often refer to the same thing. There are four Japanese garden types, of which zen gardens or dry rock gardens are one.
- Japanese gardens are symbolic and follow an ancient set of guiding design principles. Large rocks and boulders are essential in achieving this symbolism and meaning.
- While large rocks are vital to Japanese garden design, smaller stones, and gravel are also widely used for pathways and open areas.
- Rocks should be arranged in groupings of odd numbers and obtuse triangles whenever possible.
- Rocks should also maintain a natural color and appearance whenever possible. Rocks should also have a flat or sloped top.
- Consider hiring professionals to transport and install large rocks – they are heavy!
- When installing a large rock or path stone, bury a part of the rock underground to stabilize it and give it a more natural appearance.
What is a Zen Garden?
The Sakuteiki was the first written guide on Japanese landscaping. It defined four distinct Japanese garden styles. Published in the 11th century, this book was the original guide for Zen garden gurus.
The author emphasizes the importance of placing stones upright (ishi wo tateru koto) as central to the art of garden making. An authentic Japanese garden should evoke these foundational principles using rocks, plants, and wood…
Stillness (Seijaku)
Naturalness (Shinzen)
Mystery (Yugen)
Austerity (Koko)
Simplicity (Kanso)
Magic (Datsuzoku)
Asymmetry (Fukinsei)
To put it simply, Japanese gardens are chill AF. To the trained eye, they also tell stories.
An open expanse of gravel could be an ocean, while an arrangement of boulders could symbolize a vast mountain range. When incorporating zen garden rocks, you should capture the essence of one or more Japanese garden styles in a way that works best for your home and garden.
Dry Rock Garden
When they hear ‘zen garden’, they are thinking about a dry rock garden (karesansui). Dry rock gardens combine a highly curated assembly of rocks, moss, planting, and raked gravel to instill a contemplative state of mind in the viewer. They are intended to be enjoyed from afar, often featuring a defined viewing area like a deck, bench, or window.
Courtyard Garden
Courtyard garden (tsubo-niwa) is the smallest Japanese garden type. A courtyard garden is integrated into the form of a building or home, squeezing a pint-sized green space directly into the living space. The beauty and function found in a courtyard garden can also be applied to a balcony, rooftop, or fire escape for the modern city dweller.
Teahouse Garden
Teahouse gardens (cha-niwa or roji) are the most rustic Japanese garden style. Tea drinking is a highly ceremonial aspect of Japanese culture, and the tea garden was created specifically for this purpose. Many traditional Japanese properties would have a designated tea house separate from the main building. A walk along the tea garden roji, a path of rough stepping stones winding through natural planting, was intended to cleanse the troubles of the outside world on the way to the tea house.
Japanese Strolling Garden
The Japanese strolling garden (kaiyu-shiki or tsukiyama) is a more extensive format Japanese garden typically that features a hill or mound and a pond. Traditional Japanese strolling gardens can span many acres and are intended to be enjoyed from many different areas within the garden. Replicating a Japanese strolling garden at home would be a LOT of work, but the reward would be worth it.
5 Key Considerations About Zen Garden Rocks
Generally speaking, two types of rocks are commonly found in a Japanese garden.
Large rocks and boulders act as foundational elements in the garden. Stepping stones, rock pathways, and gravel are secondary features that contribute to the overall garden aesthetic in a big way!
1. Size
Large Rocks and Boulders
Large rocks and boulders are the foundation of Japanese zen gardens. Shrubs, trees, and other plants can complement large rocks in a zen garden, but the rocks should be the foundation of the garden design.
You should aim to feature at least one large rock in your zen garden design. For larger spaces, consider selecting an odd number of larger rocks in various shapes to maintain asymmetry.
Stepping Stones
Stepping stones (tobi-ishi) are another common feature in many Japanese gardens. While the traditional zen garden was intended to be enjoyed from afar, modern interpretations often blend many elements of Japanese garden style, including garden pathways.
To maintain a natural look, stepping stones should be irregular in shape and vary in size between between 12-24 inches in diameter. Stepping stones should also have roughly the same thickness to avoid trip hazards. A thicker stepping stone (3-4 inches) is recommended to allow a portion of the stone to be stabilized below grade.
Pathways
Stone pathways are a more formal feature common in Japanese gardens, often linking a central building to an outbuilding or a prominent garden feature.
Nobedan pathways are particularly cool. A classic feature of many Japanese gardens, Nobedan pathways are made of a combination of large and smaller stones of varying types. Their layout can be straight and symmetrical or more natural and irregular.
Gravel
Gravel is a central feature of dry rock gardens or karensansui. It is used as the canvas for the signature raking patterns representing water. It is critical to use gravel and not sand when building a dry rock garden, as gravel holds its form much better than fine sand after it has been raked.
Turkey grit is probably the most cost-effective gravel that can be used for a dry rock garden. However, pea gravel is also an option. Select gravel with a uniform and muted color, if possible, to maintain simplicity and austerity.
2. Shape
In the Shinto religion of ancient Japan, a symbolic power is attributed to natural elements like rocks, plants, and water. The shape of the stones in a Japanese garden is hugely important, as it represents a significant characteristic of the rock’s symbolic significance.
Look for rocks with a flatter top or ‘tenba’ to maintain a natural appearance in your garden. The pointy edges of rocks and boulders are worn away over time by the wind and the rain. This natural characteristic should be emulated if possible.
Flashy or fancy ornamental rocks (keiseki) sound also be avoided to maintain a natural look and feel in the garden.
When sourcing large rocks for your garden, you should aim for a varied selection of the following three main types of rock found in a Japanese garden…
Flat Rocks
Flat rocks are low to the ground and generally wider with a flat or sloped top.
Stable Stones
Stable stones are lower to the ground and bulky with a wide base.
Upright Stones
Upright stones are often the dominant stone in a grouping of rocks. They should convey a sense of balance in the overall composition.
3. Color
While color is a matter of personal preference, you should prioritize natural earth tones over white, pink, or red rocks. The shape of the stone is more important than its color. Still, a noticeably bright stone can throw off the overall harmony of garden composition.
4. Composition
Symbolism
Symbolism and character are critical to the authenticity of a Japanese or gen garden. Rocks are commonly used to signify natural elements of a much larger scale.
In a bold design composition, rocks would be arranged to emulate mountains, cliffs, and canyons.
In a more passive or calm design composition, rocks would be arranged to emulate valleys, hills, or islands.
Groupings
Groupings of odd numbers of rocks are common in Japanese gardens, as odd numbers are thought to convey a more natural look. Rocks of varying shapes and sizes are also often arranged in obtuse triangles. Again, this is believed to represent a more natural aesthetic.
Views
Factoring in multiple viewpoints from which your garden will be enjoyed is vital to the overall composition. Unless the garden composition is specifically designed for a single viewpoint like a window or a deck, you need to consider how the garden will be viewed from multiple angles.
This is especially true when placing rocks in your garden. The placement of individual stones and groupings of stones should be optimized for the primary views of the garden.
To help with this, choose various rock sizes, with at least one large rock and ideally three or more of varying shapes and sizes.
Pro Tip: AVOID using too many upright stones. While these types of rocks are quintessential in Japanese garden design, too many upright stones will create an unnatural look that will detract from the overall composition.
5. Placement
Sourcing rocks from your local stoneyard is the easy part. Getting them home and installed to your satisfaction is another thing entirely.
Installing japanese garden stone can be can be physically intense – big rocks are better, but they are also heavy! If you have the budget, hire a professional to move the stones into place for you. Renting small machinery like tracked exavators, mini skid steers, etc.. is also an option that will save you the aches and pains of fully manual labour.
When determining the final placement of your rocks, avoid randomly placing rocks so that they look like they are popping out of the ground. Start placing largest stones first, often towards the back of your garden composition. A small or flat rock should be placed closer to the front of the composition.
Position the heaviest, widest part of the stone at ground level. Then, dig a hole for the stone so that a portion of it is placed underground and cover it in the soil to give it a more geologically natural appearance. Large rocks settle in place over time, with a significant portion of their mass residing below grade.
Once a stone has been placed to your satisfaction, compact the surrounding earth or gravel with a tamper to stabilize the stone completely.
Pro Tip: AVOID using too many upright stones. While these types of rocks are quintessential in Japanese garden design, too many upright stones will create an unnatural look that will detract from the overall composition.
Japanese Garden Precedents
The Myoshinji and Ryoanji Kyoto Garden is Japan’s most famous zen rock garden. Commissioned by a Japanese aristocrat during the Heian period, the garden was converted into a zen temple in 1450. This classic example of a Japanese zen garden employs the traditional raked gravel and boulder groupings arranged in obtuse triangles.
The Portland Japanese Garden is probably the most authentic Japanese garden in the world outside of Japan. I have visited it many times (hence the original photos), and it features all Japanese garden styles in various garden vignettes across its twelve acres.
Kenrokuen Garden is generally considered to be one of Japan’s top three most beautiful garden. It reflects the classic strolling garden style, and uses stunning boulder placement on land and throughout the garden’s pond to great effect.
Banryu-tei Garden at Kongobuji Temple is the largest rock garden in Japan.
Final Thoughts
Rocks are a vital feature of traditional Japanese gardens. They bring a natural beauty that can transform a miniature landscape into a vast peak, valley, or cliff with symbolism and thoughtful composition.
Adding a Japanese rock garden to your home Whether it is a traditional karesansui garden or a more modern interpretation of Japanese garden styles, a zen rock garden will add peace and tranquility to your outdoor space!
