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Yusuke Nakashima

About Yusuke Nakashima

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Japanese Gardens in Australia

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Australia has around 30 Japanese gardens. Many gardens were designed by famous Japanese landscapers, such as Kenzo Ogata, Hachiro Sakakibara, and Ken Nakajima. We’d like to introduce great Japanese gardens in Australia.

Treasury Garden in Melbourne, 1902

The first Japanese garden in Melbourne is Treasury garden which was built in 1902.
It is said that an Australian man who was involved in the construction of a Japanese garden built at the San Francisco Expo site, designed this garden.

Japanese Garden in Treasury Gardens
Japanese Garden in Treasury GardensPhoto from https://www.slv.vic.gov.au/pictoria/gid/slv-pic-aab42656
Japanese Garden in Treasury Gardens
AcerLandscapes_Japanese_Garden_JapaneseGarden in Treasury Gardens2

Rockhampton Botanic Gardens, 1979
by Kenzo OGATA

It is one of the earliest Japanese gardens in Australia that was made for sister cities relationships. It is designed by Kenzo Ogata. His design is characterised by calm stone shores at the edge of ponds.

Rockhampton Botanic Gardens
Rockhampton Botanic Gardens
Rockhampton Botanic Gardens

Mt.Coot-tha Botanic Garden, 1982
by Hachiro SAKAKIBARA

One of Kenzo’s disciple, Hachiro Sakakibara design made a Japanese garden in Mt. Coot-tha Botanic garden. Around 1990s, many Japanese gardens were made to show the friendship of sister cities between Australia and Japan.

Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens
Mt Coot-tha Botanic GardensPhoto Taken by Naoko Makita
Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens

Jurakuen in University of Southern Queensland, 1989
by Kinsaku NAKANE

Kinsaku Nakane made Jurakuen in the University of Southern Queensland. He made a Japanese garden at Adachi Museum in Japan as well.

Jurakuen in University of Southern Queensland
Jurakuen in University of Southern QueenslandPhoto taken by Naoko Makita
Jurakuen in University of Southern Queensland

Japanese Garden in Melbourne Zoo, 1991
by Kinsaku NAKANE

Japanese garden in Melbourne zoo is also designed by Kinsaku Nakane. The stones and azalea is creating unique edges.

Japanese Garden in Melbourne Zoo
Japanese Garden in Melbourne ZooPhoto taken by Naoko Makita
Japanese Garden in Melbourne Zoo

 Making use of local materials and plants is the key essence of Japanese gardens. Even in Japan, Japanese gardens in Kyoto and Tokyo use different materials and plants.
Japanese gardens in Australia use Australian native plants and materials to adapt to the unique climate and environment of Australia, keeping the mind of Zen.

We, Acer Landscapes, always challenge to make Japanese gardens that keep the mind of Zen but also adapt to the environment of Australia.

Want to have
Japanese gardens
at Melbourne?

We are Japanese background landscaping specialists based
in Melbourne, Australia.

works by acer landscapes

Reference

Naoko Makita, Tsutomu Hattori, Makoto Suzuki, 2011, ‘A Study on the History and Present of Japanese Gardens in Australia’, JILA Annual Scientific Research Meeting Abstracts 2011(0), 135-135, 
https://ci.nii.ac.jp/naid/130007013014

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History of Japanese Gardens

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Japanese gardens have changed its style continuously in the history. Acer landscapes will lead you the story of Japanese gardens and show the future of Japanese gardens.

平安時代, Heian Period( 794~1192), Jodo-Style

Gardens were made for Emperors and nobilities. They wish to go to heaven (Jodo) after they die. The gardens resemble Jodo in Buddhism thinking, and people enjoyed boating at the ponds.

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AcerLandscapes_Japanese_MotsuJi1
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鎌倉時代, Kamakura period(1192～1333), Zen-Style

Kamakura Shogunate supported Zen Buddhism, especially Jodo-shin sect. Zen keeps yourself in nature, reflect,s and gets enlightened. Monks who had trained in China created Zen gardens in this period. The gardens are the place for training.

AcerLandscapes_Japanese_SaihoJi
AcerLandscapes_Japanese_SaihoJi
AcerLandscapes_Japanese_SaihoJi

南北朝時代, Nanbokucyou period (1333～1392), Zen-Style

After Kamakura period, the capital had moved back to Kyoto again. Shogun ordered monks to make Japanese gardens in this period.

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AcerLandscapes_Japanese_DaigoJiSanpoIn1
AcerLandscapes_Japanese_DaigoJiSanpoIn1

室町時代, Muromachi period (1392～1573), Zen-Style

After Kamakura period, capital had moved back to Kyoto again. Shogun ordered monks to make Japanese gardens in this period. The gardens are designed to be seen from buildings.

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AcerLandscapes_Japanese_Garden_KinkakuJi5
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Daitoku Ji Temple Ryugen In
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Daitoku Ji Temple Ryugen In

安土桃山時代, Azuchimomoyama period (1573～1603), Roji, 

In this period, the manner and mind of the Japanese tea ceremony were established and people made Japanese gardens for tea ceremonies (Roji).

It is designed to be a pathway from a gate to a tea ceremony room.

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AcerLandscapes_Japanese_Garden_Roji1
AcerLandscapes_Japanese_Garden_Roji1
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江戸時代, Edo period (1603～1867), Daimyo-Style

Edo period was really peaceful, and feudal lords, Daimyo, gained power. They created gardens to show their power to the public.  The gardens are based on the thought of Roji-style, however, the size is larger and it is designed to stroll and explore.

Korakuen,Park,,Okayama,,Japan.
Korakuen,Park,,Okayama,,Japan.
Korakuen,Park,,Okayama,,Japan.
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明治時代, Meiji period (1868～1912)
大正時代, Taisho period (1912～1926)
Japanese and Western mix style

After Meiji Period, Japan started to get westernize. The feudal system has demolished and many Daimyo gardens had destroyed. Conglomerate companies, Zaibatsu, bought gardens and they created Japanese and Western mixed culture style.

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AcerLandscapes_Japanese_MurinAnn6
AcerLandscapes_Japanese_MurinAnn6
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昭和・平成時代, Showa & Heisei period (1926～2019)
Modern Japanese style

From Showa period, Japanese gardens have been harmonized with Modern western culture and evolved into modern Japanese style.

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AcerLandscapes_Japanese_Garden_KufukuJi6
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Kennin-Ji Temple
Kennin-Ji Temple

令和時代, Reiwa period (2020~)
Modern Japanese style in the global society

From Meiji period, Japanese gardens have been created all over the world and they are evolving by adopting global cultures. We, Acer Landscapes make Japanese gardens at Melbourne, Australia. We keep Zen in the garden with adapting unique Australian climate.

Ivanhoe Modern-Roji-style Japanese garden
Ivanhoe Modern-Roji-style Japanese garden
Ivanhoe Modern-Roji-style Japanese garden
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Ivanhoe Modern-Roji-style Japanese garden
Ivanhoe Modern-Roji-style Japanese garden

See more works

by Acer Landscapes

We are Japanese background landscaping specialists based
in Melbourne, Australia.

works by acer landscapes