Japanese Gardens

The editorial note in this guidebook states that "The tourist library series aims at presenting concise, authoritative and unbiased information on various phases of Japanese culture, old and new."

This particular guidebook, one of a series published by the Japan Travel Bureau over several decades, invites the reader to explore the proud heritage of Japanese garden design. It reflects pride in the natural beauty of the islands, as well as the skill, sensitivity, and insight of the local gardeners.

Each of the volumes includes chapters on the history of Japanese gardens, the different types of gardens (hill, flat, and tea), the use of various features (water, islands, bridges, stones, trees, fences, lanterns, paths), and famous historic and current gardens. The books are richly illustrated with black-and-white photos and detailed drawings. The bibliography points the reader to numerous sources for travel and tourism, guides and maps, and helpful books on Japanese culture and civilization.

The author is rightly proud of his people’s tradition of creating aesthetically pleasing gardens, and his book welcomes the traveler to appreciate their beauty.