Tag Archives: zen

Japanese Gate at Tenryu-ji

Posted on June 27th, 2016 by

Zen Rock Gardens

I have come to realize something about myself in this life. I deeply appreciate and love gardens. I love nature in general, and find a peaceful place where I can still my mind as I wander the natural world. I also realized I deeply dislike the actual art of gardening (and I strongly believe this is an art form). This is something I gave year after year of effort too when Pamela and I purchased our home, but the older I become, the more I realize you need to spend more time doing the things you love, and less time doing the things you do not love. That seems like common sense, but for so many of us, such a difficult thing to master. I know I was deeply moved by the gardens at Tenryu-ji, but raking this zen garden is not the same as communing with it.

Japanese Gate at Tenryu-ji
Japanese Gate at Tenryu-ji

Photo Technical Info

  • Aperture: ƒ/5.6
  • Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
  • Taken: 14 November, 2015
  • Focal length: 16mm
  • ISO: 1000
  • Shutter speed: 1/200s
  • Title: Japanese Gate at Tenryu-ji

Red Japanese Maple Leaves Over a Zen Garden

Posted on December 10th, 2015 by

Zen Rock Gardens

In my short time in Kyoto, I saw SO many gardens. You literally run into them everywhere. I am one who has no patience for gardening, but I love the artistry OF gardening. This latest trip to Japan gave me a appreciation for imperfection. You can make something perfect, but in some things, say a handcrafted tea cup…the Japanese prize the imperfect. These leave are as I found them…imperfect. The pebbles in the karesansui are not uniform in color. My control of depth of field in the photograph was not how I saw it.

These imperfections are, but an illusion for all are perfection.

Red Japanese Maple Leaves Over a Zen Garden
Red Japanese Maple Leaves Over a Zen Garden

Photo Technical Info