Intimate Beauty of a Japanese Courtyard

The Japanese-style courtyard pursues the ultimate in being an area of calm, held in nature's embrace

More than 30 case studies of Japanese courtyard and garden design that reflect the fundamentals of Japanese courtyard design

With a wealth of pictures to show the visual beauty of various Japanese courtyards and gardens

Presenting the creativity and quiet beauty of courtyard design to bring nature into the home

A rich resource for landscape and interior designers who seek to explore a different approach to incorporating a home garden within a limited floor plan

An idea resource that leads inspiring ideas on how to weave the quintessence of soothing nature into the home through non-traditional landscape and interior design

Residences occupy a pivotal position in Japanese architecture. As an extension of the residential space, the Japanese courtyard garden is unique, featuring symbolic garden elements and designs that date back to centuries. This book is a collection of more than 30 residential courtyard design works interpreted for the modern-day home, sometimes extending beyond the traditional defines of a Japanese courtyard. It not only selects a wealth of pictures, which shows their visual beauty, but also provides technical drawings to reflect the design in better detail. The Japanese courtyard pursues the ultimate in being an area of calm, held in nature's embrace, where one may reflect and rest in quietude to contemplate the deeper meaning of life. And every rock arrangement, tree placement, element/nature symbolized, and even scenery framed is meticulously thought out to achieve this. This book seeks to inspire residential and landscape designers to behold nature within a home with fresh eyes and to let rest old methods as new connections and perceptions are sought, in order to build a different kind of residential space that draws on the essence of a Japanese courtyard.

About the Author

Hitoshi Saruta is the founder of CUBO design architect. He graduated from the Department of Management of Yokohama National University. After working as a carpenter and construction manager for a construction company, he engaged in housing and store design at a design office in Kanagawa Prefecture.