Sakuteiki: Visions of the Japanese Garden: A Modern Translation of Japan’s Gardening Classic

Description from Amazon

Sakuteiki: Visions of the Japanese Garden: A Modern Translation of Japan’s Gardening Classic (Tuttle Classics) Paperback – October 15, 2008

Jiro Takei (Author),‎ Marc P. Keane (Author)

Learn the art of Japanese gardening with this classic, fascinating text.

The Sakuteiki, or “Records of Garden Making,” was written nearly one thousand years ago. It is the oldest existing text on Japanese gardening—or any kind of gardening—in the world. In this edition of the Sakuteiki, the authors provide an English-language translation of this classic work and an introduction to the cultural and historical context that led to the development of Japanese gardening. Central to this explanation is an understanding of the sacred importance of stones in Japanese culture and Japanese garden design.

Written by a Japanese court noble during the Heian period (794-1184), the Sakuteiki includes both technical advice on gardening—much of which is still followed in today’s Japanese gardens—and an examination of the four central threads of allegorical meaning, which were integral features of Heian-era garden design. For those seeking inspiration to build a rock garden or just better understand the Japanese stone garden, the Sakuteiki is an enduring classic.

Jiro Takei, professor emeritus of the Kyoto College of Art, taught a course on the Sakuteiki for many years. Throughout his long and distinguished career, he has been deeply involved in the study of Japanese gardens, as the Chairman of the Japanese Garden Academic Society (Nihon Teien Gakkai), regional chief of the Gardening Academic Society (Zoen Gakkai), and chief researcher of the Research Center for Japanese Garden Art (Nihon Teien Kenkyu Senta).

Marc P. Keane is a garden designer, artist, and author based in Ithaca NY. Having lived in Kyoto Japan for nearly 20 years, his work is deeply influenced by the aesthetics and culture of Japan. Keane is the author of 7 books including, “Japanese Garden Design” (an introduction to the history and design of Japanese gardens), “The Japanese Tea Garden” (the history, design and aesthetics of the Japanese tea garden), “The Art of Setting Stones” (essays for the philosophical gardener, or the gardening philosopher), and “Dear Cloud” (a meditation on nature from the perspective of a unique traveler). More about his work can be seen at mpkeane.com.