| When I think about Japanese gardens, I think | | | | spotlessly clean and I remember being |
| about the bonsai trees tiny trees that dot | | | | frightened about entering it and not wanting |
| almost every Japanese garden youll find. I | | | | to walk along the stone path through the |
| personally love them. I also think about Zen | | | | garden. I was afraid I would disturb the |
| Buddhism and the impact it has on these | | | | beauty and peacefulness of this amazing |
| beautiful gardens. Nearly every Japanese | | | | garden. |
| garden Ive ever seen has been done with a Zen | | | | |
| or Zen-like theme. The Zen theme in Japanese | | | | I think the professor must have noticed how |
| gardens is everywhere and not just in the | | | | enamored I was by his garden. He came up to |
| garden itself. Homes with Japanese gardens | | | | me and carefully explained to me what the |
| often have a Zen theme as well. Its easy to | | | | garden was and why it was meant to be so |
| feel like youre in Japan itself when walking | | | | peaceful and tranquil. He told me that I was |
| through such a garden. | | | | looking at a Japanese garden and helped me |
| | | | understand that certain characteristics |
| I personally became fascinated with Japanese | | | | defined what a Japanese garden was all about. |
| gardens from the moment I saw one. I remember | | | | He even showed me his precious bonsai trees |
| the event very clearly. It was back when my | | | | and explained the features of each one to me. |
| mother was working in an international | | | | Then he showed me his magnificent pond, |
| language school. A colleague of hers a | | | | complete with Koi fish swimming in it. He |
| Japanese professor had spent a lot of time | | | | explained that Koi fish were actually Chinese |
| in Japan and had picked up many of their | | | | fish but that they added to the prosperity of |
| customs. One particular custom he developed | | | | his otherwise completely Japanese-themed |
| was that of having and keeping up a wonderful | | | | garden. |
| Japanese garden. | | | | |
| | | | After only a couple of hours, I went from |
| My first experience with his Japanese garden | | | | someone who hadnt even heard about Japanese |
| was when the Japanese professor had some | | | | gardens to someone completely fascinated by |
| people over to his home and I was one of the | | | | how simplistic, beautiful and tranquil they |
| lucky ones he invited. I took one look at his | | | | are. I really learned the meaning of Japanese |
| tiny Japanese garden and I was completely | | | | gardens that day. In fact, as you may |
| hooked. At the time, I really had no idea | | | | imagine, I have my very own Japanese garden |
| what it was. I didnt even know it was an | | | | that I tend to on a daily basis. Without the |
| Asian-themed garden. I just liked how neat | | | | patience of that kind professor, I wouldnt |
| and delicate it was. The garden was | | | | have such a beautiful garden today. |