Japanese Garden & Tubo-niwa (Spot Garden)

In Japan, especially in Kyoto, it is hard to find the large land for a house. Therefore, the gardens s also tend to be small. That is why they call gardens in Kyoto as 'Tubo-niwa(spot garden)'.
Even it is small in the limited space, but we still make a small universe by setting up stones and garden plants. Usually we deem the spot garden to be a part of main buildings, therefore, we design a house for it from the beginning.
We highly recommend to consider having 'Tubo-niwa' together when you have your new Japanese wooden house.

Japanese Garden & Courtyard Garden

01 Hirado azalea and Blue appendix maple
Simple quadrilateral Japanese Nishinoya lantern
The scarcement below, it is in offhand - finish by using Gorota-stone.

02　Mountain maple, Sasanqua(camellia) , Barroom plant and Plum tree
There is a small shrine in the right backside, and 'Oinari-san' (God of harvests) is enshrined in it.

03　Camellia japonica, Plum tree and Winter camellia
Stepping stones by cross-stitch style and hewn stones below.
The wooden fence at the front-back is simple finish that holding cedar bark with thin bamboo.

04　Japanese cypress, Enkianthus perulatus and Blue appendix maple
Japanese Kasuga lantern in the front-back
At the right, there is a water vase of the Buddha on four sides

05　Japanese andromeda , Camellia japonica and Azalea
A garden lantern, called 'yukimi-dourou' is in the center-front.
The backside bamboo fence which is Ken-ninji style is plastic-made.

06　Japanese shrubs and Azalea
There are moss plants around the garden-stepping stones. It took almost 10 years.
The 'Nishinoya'style garden lantern is on the right side.

07　Pine tree and Barroom plant(Haran)
A stone wash basin sets off the garden scenery.
The front stones and the washbasin are located followed by the disciplines of tea ceremony.

08　Mokkoku tree(Cleyera Japonica) and Cyptmeria
Restful atmosphere after the rain
A low fence, called 'Rikyu-gaki' on the left side is really costly.

09　Okame bamboo grass and Mokkoku tree
Tatami stones on the backside is covered with moss plants.

10　Heavenly bamboo and Fern
There is a small space, but the wash basin is still set in it.
This house owner use it for tea ceremony, therefore 2 stones of 'teshoku-ishi and a yuoke-ishi are made flat(it is more easily to use)

11　Hime-gardenia, Tsuwabuki and Japanese andromeda
The color of the bamboo is still vivid because it is just completed. It will be light brown in 1 year.
There is 'Misaki' style garden lantern, lighting on when tea gathering is held.

12　Ardisia, Azalea, Heavenly bamboo and Maquis
This 'Kasuga' garden lantern has a rare shape.
There is a clothes-drying place on the left backside, so stepping stones are embedded for easy-to-walk.

13　Blue appendix maple and Hime azalea
This type of appendix(momiji) does not grow well so that it is easy to care.
Growth degree will vary depending on its species.

14　Sarcandra glabra, Maple and Satuki azalea
Comparing this garden to the sea, the stones would be birds.
Size, location and direction of stones are determined exactly based on the view from the inside of the room.

15　Maquis and Box tree
Same as a box tree, maquis is also hard to prune. However, it emphasizes the garden well.

16　Rohdea japonica, Mahonia japonica(Heavenly bamboo) and Japanese andromeda
In Japan, Mahonia japonica is often planted around the corner of the north-east in a site.
North-east corner is called the 'demon's gate - unlucky direction' which its god passes.
To prevent disaster or misfortune, heavenly bamboo(turn bad luck to good) is planted.

17　Pine tree
A pine tree is one of most famous plants in Japanese garden, but it is necessary to leave its maintenance in the charge of some special gardeners.
From ancient times, it is called that the God resides in a pine tree. Therefore, we have a custom to purify when felling those trees.

18　Fragrant olive, Chinese redbud shrubs and Satuki azalea
his water basin is highly unique because of cutting a nature stone out the shape.
Cedar logs are lined up in front of the water basin so that it is still good to use on rainy days.

19　The Garden of Mirei Shigemori*
This garden is, famous garden creator, Mr. Shigemori's work. We renovated this building.
The Karesansui garden(dry landscape garden) style - Horaijima Island in the center, Hojo, Eijyu and Koryo Islands in east and west.　
It is seen from the inside of the room or its porch.
*(1896-1975 Japanese Garden creator, Researcher of Japanese garden history)

20　Rohdea japonica, Barroom plant(Haran), Ophiopogon japonicus and Camellia japonica
It is practical water basin. There is a water pipe inside the bamboo( a bamboo tube).
Open the valve only when it is necessary.
Burned cedar boards and simon bamboo(horizontally lined).

21　Scouring rush and Soyogo
There is a small universe created in a small garden.
The virgate scouring rushes in front are mowed down in autumn. Therefore, it is often used as a season word for autumn in haiku*
(Japanese seventeen-syllable poem).

22　Japanese white pine(five-leaves-pine tree)
Japanese white pine tree has 5 leaves in in close proximity to each other , therefore, it is named Go(five) you (leaves) matu(pine).
Its brunches grow randomly, so it is often enjoyed as a garden shrub or bonsai*(a dwarfed potted plant).

23　Mountain maple and Enkianthus perulatus　
Hewn stones are lined up as a base. Gorota-stones are placed on both sides and its edges are trimmed.
Gravels are embedded in those clearance gap so that it is easy to walk.

24　Rhapis humilis(Slender lady palm), Fern and Osmanthus ilicifolius(holly)
Small Garden. All plants are slow-growing. Even if it is small, you can still relax both mind and body.

25　Water basin
There is a bamboo-dipper that a ladle has a cup with a long handle.
Ladle out water into the cup of this dipper and purify hands before you enter the tea room.