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ROCKS

Rocks are placed in the garden for enticement and reinvigoration of the viewer. The placement of rocks are the bone structure of a garden. Traditionally, the Japanese held rocks as very sacred objects. They were the home of spirits or kami in Japanese. Rocks when placed in a group needed to be placed in such a way that the energy was balanced, and they seemed to somehow interact with each other, or relate to each other. Triads are common ways to group rocks together symbolizing the triangle or the three forces equivalent to a triad of Heaven, Earth and Man. The following will describe traditional ways of grouping rocks, and rules regarding the placement of rocks in the garden.

ROCK GROUPING COMPOSITION

Horizontal Triad Rocks- This rock grouping consists of three rocks forming a triangle in the horizontal plane. They are shaped like the Chinese character Œhin¹ meaning "articles".

Buddhist Triad Rocks- This rock grouping consists of three rocks forming a triangle in the vertical plane with it's base resting on the ground. This grouping resembles 3 Buddhist deities depicted in statuary with one central deity centered with two of lesser height to either side of it.

A horizontal, vertical, and diagonal group is called oshakei in Japanese.

The Meaning of Triangles- Triangles have a stable base and also imply movement. In a garden composition this element combines stability and dynamics. Individual elements seem to interact with each other.

Symmetrical Triangle- This shape is the most stable form for directing the forces of gravity directly down to the earth. The human body forms a stable triangle when sitting cross-legged or kneeling. These positions foster alertness and minimize tension and they are common Yoga poses for worship and meditation.

ROCK PLACEMENT

The following excerpts are taken from two important historical Asian gardening references with regards to the placement of rocks, Sakuteiki and Illustrations. See description of these books.

How was the rock found originally in nature? This is important to how the rock will be used in the garden according to both Sakuteiki and Illustrations.

Sakuteiki- "Placing sideways a rock which originally stood upright, or setting upright a rock which originally lay sideways is taboo. If this taboo is violated, the rock will assuredly turn into a "rock of revengeful spirits", and will bring a curse."

Illustrations- "There is an instruction that says you are not to change the position of a rock from what is was in the mountains. Placing a rock so that the part which was underneath in mountains is on top is called "reversing the rock", and is to be avoided. To do this would anger the spirit of rock and would bring bad luck."

The oral tradition indicates rocks were classified and used in accordance with geological zones where they were originally found.

What is the character of the rock? This is an important concept to think about when arranging rocks together.

Illustrations- "As a rule, first set the largest rock, and then set each succeeding rock in proportion to it. This can only be done intuitively."

Sakuteiki- "[In setting the rocks] you should first complete the placing of the principle rock having a distinct character, and then proceed to set each succeeding rock in compliance with the "requesting" mood of the principle rock."