Abstract
This study aims to observe the spatial characteristics of Zen Buddhism gardens perceived under the minute light environment of the moon. Through the quantitative analysis by PC-simulations based on radiosity program, the following points are recognized; 1) the amount of moonlight reflection from the white sand surface in the garden is about fifteen times compared to the wet soil surface, and the building interior gains 1.9 times the brightness, 2) this intensive contrast of brightness between garden and building interior causes a distinctive spatial perception, 3) gardens are carefully designed to take advantage of hourly and seasonal change of moonlight. Those built in latter periods achieve better effect of the reflection through the night and seasons. Meanwhile the possibilities of PC-simulation for the garden design study are realized as followings; 1) the comparative analysis by hypothetical modeling is effective to figure out the intention of the design, 2) a number of gardens are able to be observed simultaneously under the same moonlight condition without any climate influence.
