The blooming of the cherry tree

The blooming of the cherry tree is the purest manifestation of beauty in Japanese culture, but then the blossom swiftly fades and is scattered by the wind. It represents the cycle of life and how our lives blossom and fall .The blossoms, the beautiful changing season has much more significance than just the return of warm weather.


It's is a symbol of how nature works - there are no endings, only beginnings as we honour birth, death and re-birth.As this new cycle begins understand that at some point it too will cease to exist the way it exists right now for that is the cycle of life. It's right now when all around us seem to strech themselves and need to blast the lethargy of Winter and get moving while our senses start to open up on very deep level .It's just the time to look outside

 It's now when we keep in mind, even on shaded apartment patios , enjoy a secret garden that provides privacy .Who wouldn't like to make an unforgettable outdoor living environment on their own patio or balcony ? . I am totally fascinated by japanese gardens and their culture .It provides a perfect place of beauty and tranquility for meditation and relaxation and to enrich and restore the body, mind, and spirit.

Most of the Japanese gardens are designed so as to create visually separate areas of the four elements that represent ten(sky), kai(sea), chi(land), and ji(time)

You don't need a big yard to create an authentic Japanese Garden at home...a few elements can give a good effect .Simplicity is key and it requires less maintenance than some others

Symbolism is a big part of Japanese design. Gravel can imply water; stone the Earth. Different shapes have different qualities. Decide what you want to express

Traditional Japanese gardens come in many varieties. One of the most important and intriguing aspects is the use of water.

Even in karesansui, or "dry gardens," sand and pebbles are raked to represent water moving around islands

Water is important in that it has a calming effect on the viewer and adds to the feeling of seclusion.All water sources should appear to be an organic part of the surroundings

Lanterns are often placed beside prominent bodies of water in a garden. This juxtaposition of water and fire creates the yin and yang (actually the in and yo, in Japanese), an important idea in Japanese culture involving the balancing of opposites to create harmony. Water symbolizes purity and the fluidity of life. A Japanese style water garden can work in almost any environment, no matter whether you have a few acres, or just a few square feet. The key is balance and not letting one aspect of the garden overwhelm the others

Finally we  musn't forget to put a Koi Fish in an outdoor water garden,they are greatly admired and essential part of the water streams  in the Japanise culture



One kind word can warm three winter months (Japanese proverb ).....SPRING ! .