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