Future site of my Karesansui Japanese Garden

I am going to try to make a Japanese dry-landscape Zen Garden (Karesansui style). Of course I know that there is a lot more involved in this then I am aware.

Unlike other traditional gardens, there is no water in Karesansui gardens. Raked gravel or sand simulates the feeling of water. The rocks are chosen for their artistic shapes, and mosses as well as small shrubs are used to to support the Karesansui style. Rocks and moss are used to represent ponds, islands, boats, seas, rivers, and mountains.

I have done some reading and I think I understand some of the basic principles. Sumi (balance), in and yo (otherwise known as yin & yang), ma (empty space) which defines the elements around it, wabi ( individual spirit), and sabi (patina of time) are just some of the elements that should be in harmony.

Ha! I'm just going to think about it and then do what I think looks right as I try to fulfill the principles as I understand them. After all, I'm going to be the major viewer of this little garden, and I don't think anyone else who visits my yard will know much more than the basic principles anyway. If they know that much! (I'm thinking of my family here, not garden club members.) The photos above are of the spot I will be converting. As you can see it's very small which doesn't make a difference, but I have to figure out how to enclose it to insulate it from the rest of the yard. I'll add more pictures as the garden develops.

Behind that curved area of deck we used to have a hot tub; and I read somewhere that it is good to have a spot or platform to overlook a Zen garden, so I think it might work out. We'll see.

Oh by the way, see that white form on the right side of the second picture? I think that might be a ghost. There is really nothing there but grass, all the way back to the pines at the fence.

Strange huh?