joseph cali : writing

	Available through www.jgarden.org , www.kodansha-intl.com and many others.

	"The New Zen Garden" offers a look at the basics of Japanese garden design with a visual emphasis on contemporary gardens. "The New Zen Garden" features works by top designers such as Sasaki Yoji, Masuno Shunmyo and Yasumoro Sadao to name a few. Beginning with a brief history of garden making in Japan and its relation to Zen Buddhism and other aspects of Japanese culture, the book goes on to discuss the basics of layout and enclosure, stone and sand, water features and planting. Practical application techniques for typical lots-from several to several hundred square yards-guide the reader from theory to visualization to the realization of simple garden designs. In addition, brief lessons on the construction of various garden features are offered by several top professionals, along with their own thoughts on the methods and meaning of the Japanese garden.



	"Books of this nature generally fall into two categories "how to", with plenty of information about how things are put together but few ideas and examples to inspire you; or pictures of gardens to drool over but no information on how to create them. This lovely book about Zen gardens is one of the few that gives both - inspiration aplenty, with fabulous photography and examples of gardens that you could only dream about, plus how-to guides on several structural elements by expert practitioners. A very good book, well worth having"―The Age, Australia "When the chaos overwhelms you, find a moment to pick up Japan-based designer Joseph Cali's excellent book on Zen gardens. Photos of classic and contemporary designs ― modest sand-and-stone courtyards and green gardens with waterfalls and ponds ― exude tranquility." ―The Los Angeles Times