The New Zen Garden

The New Zen Garden enlivens a tradition dating back 1500 years and introduces the contemplative Japanese space in all its varied forms. Author Joseph Cali guides you through the basics of theory, design, and construction, blending age-old techniques with modern innovation.

Beginning with a brief history of the spiritual and cultural aspects of the Japanese garden, Cali reveals the underpinnings of the gardener's art. In simple and straightforward terms, Cali presents a broad range of modern stone and sand gardens, provides a detailed outline of the history of Japanese gardens, and shows how principles of Japanese garden design could be applied to Western-style housing. With a focus on small and medium home gardens, the author introduces a visually explicit process in which anyone can conceive their own home garden, whether for a single-family residence or the balcony of an apartment.

The New Zen Garden is a provocative eye-opener for both the serious Japanese garden enthusiast and the weekend gardener. Dozens of carefully conceived line drawings by the author—as well as additional instruction by top professionals—further illuminate the finer points of garden making and steer the reader step-by-step through some specific building techniques, including the making of textured clay walls, traditional stone walkways, and stone settings.

This book, printed in the rich color tones of serene and inviting spaces, is an excellent start to an appreciation of the theory and craft of Japanese garden design and will supply you with an abundance of ideas to transform your backyard, patio, terrace, courtyard, or other expanse into a space steeped in a quiet joy that you will cherish for years to come.

Joseph Cali, a native New Yorker with a background in painting and fine art, has spent half his life in Japan pursuing art, design and writing on the topic of Japanese culture. Cali has lived and worked in Japan as an interior designer, graphic designer, copywriter, and illustrator, and his work has been featured in numerous publications.