by Nigel Spaven
Add a Touch of Japanese Style to Your Garden – 30 Simple Ideas
Ms Yin & Mr Yang’s Garden Design Book
Index
- Introduction
- Types of Japanese Gardens
- Basic Design Tips (Considerations, Colour, Plant in Blocks, Space)
- Overview Plants (Shrubs, Trees, Cloud Pruning)
- Specific Plants (Multi Stems, Maples, Bamboo, Pines, Cherry)
- Paths, Stepping Stones
- Gravel, Moss, Islands, Hills & Bankings
- Details Matter
- Water, Koi, Bridges, Stone
- Tea houses & shelters
- Lanterns, Pagodas, Fences & Gates, Bonsai, Accessoirs
- Sample Designs
- Plant Overview
A new, self-published book about how to turn a garden Japanese. Or merely give it a Japanese touch. Different then other books of the same genre, it is not promising you that your garden will be Japanese. Which is most of the time impossible granted the difference in climate, materials, and cultural differences. The book zooms you in on what makes a garden Japanese, how to give yours a Japanese flair, or how to slowly turn your garden into a garden with true Japanese spirit.
As you can see in the index, the book covers a lot of topics around Japanese gardens. Actually, it has 129 pages full of explanations and tips. A very voluminous number of pages for a self-published book. And for that, it comes to an unbeatable price.
Author: Nigel Spaven
Price: around $7.70 on Amazon as eBook
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Paperback available here: https://payhip.com/nigelspaven
Nigel Spaven worked a long time in the architecture industry and fell in love with Japanese gardens in 2008 when he visited Kyoto. From this point on he was keen on studying them and learning about their design principles. Topping in this book.
He surely has a different approach to writing about Japanese gardens showing in the uniqueness of his book. Ms. Yin and Mr. Yang, two Japanese dolls, are leading you through all topics, giving comic advice or trying to make you think about a specific topic by asking clever questions.
And Nigel even covers an unpopular topic: making use of objects (accessories) in the garden. Let’s be honest, they shouldn’t be anywhere near a REAL Japanese garden, and for me, it is difficult to recommend them, but it’s your garden and yours to decide what makes you happy. So why not point out their existence too?
My opinion:
Actually, when I first opened the file and scanned through the book, I was positively surprised by the content.
It’s not that I think that all self-published books are bad (beware, I am selling self-published books myself!). But when seeing the playful illustrations, borders, and colors, I wasn’t much drawn to this book in the first place. I have to honestly admit. It’s just not a style I personally like. However, never judge something for its looks only! It can still be beautiful inside!
I really like that this book does not promise you to turn your garden Japanese but stating from the beginning to give tips on how to add Japanese touches.
So, when I started to read the book, I was quickly convinced that Nigel Spaven had done his research and wrote every chapter in an easy-to-understand way. The many illustrations and pictures help you to visualize what he is describing in his texts.
Yes, I have to admit that I felt a bit envious when seeing with what kind of ease Nigel seems to describe even harder to get matters in a very understandable way.
And that I haven’t spent time before to put all our so far published books together to finally publish a similar book on our own (not that I haven’t had plans..).
Well, it seems, this year it’s not our time to do so. But our time will eventually come too 😉
After I already started to write honestly, let me continue a bit. I am quite aware of some books out there covering Japanese gardens and also know many resources online. So it was quite obvious for me on many sites where Nigel drew his inspirations from. That said, we had a nice conversation and I offered to beta-read his book.
Because, let’s be honest. There is nothing “new” appearing out there on the market anymore. Everyone takes something from here and there, putting it into a new shape, in new words, and adding something of themselves. That’s the way literature has worked for hundreds of years already.
So just look at this book as what it is. A very nice addition to the Japanese garden-themed bookshelf, with a completely different approach to the topic, in an easy to understand, cute, and illustrative way. It definitely owns its place among all the other gardening books!
This article was first published on Patreon.com
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Author: Nigel Spaven
Price: around $7.70
Click to see more details
If you want to dig deeper into some of the mentioned topics, consider buying our books:
Real Japanese Gardens
Stone Arrangements
Price: $4.95
Click to see more details
Real Japanese Gardens
Ponds in the Japanese Garden
Price: $4.95
Click to see more details
Real Japanese Gardens
Gravel Patterns
Price: $4.95
Click to see more details
Real Japanese Gardens
Japanese Garden Paths Part 1
Price: $4.95
Click to see more details
Real Japanese Gardens
Bamboo Fences Part 1
Price: $4.95
Click to see more details
Real Japanese Gardens
Plants in the Japanese Garden Part 1
Price: $4.95
Click to see more details
Real Japanese Gardens 