The Gardens
The Japanese Gardens consists of four gardens: the garden of life (also called the history garden), the view garden, the walking garden and the meditation garden. They will be described in turn.
The garden of life or history garden
The garden of life begins at the entrance where the brook, symbolising the beginning of life, starts its journey.
The garden follows the brook as it winds its way through the landscape, alternating waterfalls and calm water.
The brooks become one stream which continues with greater force creating bigger waterfalls.
It flows into the first lake and here the peaceful water symbolises a calm life and the start of adulthood. Into this lake flows another little brook, symbolizing the arrival of a child. There is brief turbulence in the brook’s movement and then the water flows into another lake - and life is calm. Finally, the stream of life disappears into the woods where it passes the pagodas which, in Japan, correspond to the church. From here one goes on to eternal life.
View garden
In traditional Danish gardens one goes into the middle and looks towards the edges. The Japanese view garden, where visitors walk around the edges and look towards the centre, provides the opportunity for a different and deeper perspective.
Walking garden
The garden behind the two houses with thatched roofs reminds one of some of the best views in the natural world. It forms what we call a ‘mini hike’.
The waterfall, using crags from the USA, is inspired by hikes in many different countries. Brookside paths in the calm areas of this garden remind one of Sweden.
Meditation garden and Tea House
In this abstract garden, a dry landscape of white granite chipping is raked in waves to illustrate water.
The garden is designed to be a place of meditation, where people can sit on the terrace and enjoy the view and let their minds wander.
Three brooks join a large stream which flows alongside the terrace and leaves the garden near the entrance to the house.
The Tea House, constructed according to traditional measurements, has sliding doors with rice paper panels and tatami (rice) mats on the floor.
Komatsu
At the entrance to the gardens are placed two Komatsu’s (bamboo sculptures) welcoming both gods and guests to the garden.
Zukubai
A zukubai, a kind of water font at which visitors may wash their hands, face and feet, is used in Japan to clean the soul before entering the gardens.