Garden Planting Designs Shown in Painting Scrolls during the Heian and Kamakura Eras

Abstract

This study explains garden paintings in the period of Heian through Kamakura, the 12th to the first half of the 14th centuries, by analyzing painting scrolls of this period in purpose of completing the Japanese garden history. The results are as follows:
1) The plant in Senzai is mainly autum shrubs and flowers and is limited to its species. The planting patterns becomes more group-wise in the earlier period.
2) The planting around a garden stream is arranged at important spots and is few.
3) There is one or two trees planted effectively at the inter and outer angles of the building.
4) Supporting trees are arranged beside or behind garden facilities such as a gate, garden shrine, bridge, hedge, etc.
5) As planting designs, trees are often arranged in a form of a couple, for example, crossing main stems.
6) A design of Japanese wisteria entwining pine trees, which symbolizes the relations between the Imperial family and the Fujiwaras is observed.
7) There are protecting fences for plants and also an evidence of maintenance.