A Glimpse into Iranian Garden Architecture
History
The design of Iranian gardens and their buildings is often a blend of pre-Islamic architectural and gardening styles from the Achaemenid and Sasanian periods, along with methods from the centuries that followed, which embody the general characteristics of garden design and architecture in Iran, recognized as Islamic architecture. Additionally, it has evolved through influences from the gardening architecture of other countries. It is said that Iranians have had a special interest in creating gardens and green spaces since ancient times, to the extent that their homes are generally surrounded by gardens and orchards. Even remnants of gardening practices in this country can be traced back to the Sumerians, where the creation of such a paradise was ordered by the god of water and depicted by the sun god.
Geometry
The Iranian garden has gradually developed alongside the advancement of the civilization and culture of the Persians who have settled in Iran. Achieving the order governing the Iranian garden has taken a long time and has been accompanied by the transformations of civilization and the formation of Iranian culture. With the rise of the Safavid dynasty, the greatest achievements in the field of architectural art emerged, the most significant of which is the existence of Safavid gardens, which are considered a major milestone in the history of garden design in Iran. Generally, Iranian gardens were either built on flat land, or they were plain gardens, or they were established on sloped land, which allowed for the creation of beautiful gardens with waterfalls and more trees. In general, special attention was paid to geometric shapes in the Iranian garden, especially the square shape, which clearly and simply illustrated the distances between the components of the garden and served as a basis for the planting method and the spacing of each tree and shrub. The geometry of the Iranian garden can even be traced back to ancient times through art, handicrafts, and decorative patterns such as tile work, designs of Persian carpets, and even vast architectural spaces.
Elements
The natural elements of an Iranian garden include four elements: (land), (water), (plant), and (space). When these elements are placed together within the conceptual framework of Iranian architecture and the idea of a garden, they shape the garden itself. In this process, other elements may also be utilized in the formation of the garden, which can either be artificial elements (such as: pavilions, entrance gates) or minor parts and manifestations of the main elements of the garden.
A Glimpse into Japanese Garden Architecture
History
To understand the history of Japanese gardening, one must seek its harmony in the components of a Japanese garden, in order to perceive the effective relationship between nature and humans that it creates. This is because the people of Japan are largely uniform and homogeneous due to having lived in isolation for centuries. For this reason, they have had a negative view of foreigners, and their sustainable economy was based on rice cultivation, which led to a special perspective on nature in Japan. Thus, the history of gardening in Japan dates back to 1,000 years ago. During this long period, magnificent gardens were created in Japan, and the changes resulting from the passage of time in various aspects—politics, religion, architecture, and aesthetic principles—have provided conditions for the creation and growth of a gardening culture.
Geometry
What stands out in the design of a Japanese garden is a hidden order, such that an organic and harmonious arrangement of elements and structures aligns with nature, creating a pristine whole. In this organic growth, attention is given to irregularities while maintaining the central order of the ensemble or individual structures. This irregularity, as a unit, fosters the organic growth of architecture within the context of gardening and the fluid infiltration of nature into the inner space, contributing to an intuitive understanding of the Japanese garden and a unique perception of place as a phenomenon of uncertainty and fluidity. Therefore, although the Japanese garden is crafted by human hands, it is entirely a reflection of natural and pristine landscapes, where the philosophy behind each symbolic and emblematic element encompasses the overall significance of gardening and nature.
Elements
Nature and elements in a Japanese garden represent ultimate perfection and ideals that must be preserved through effort and diligence. The Japanese believe that their gardens should draw inspiration from natural and pristine sources, as every element carries symbolic meanings. Therefore, they hold that since you cannot find a neatly arranged and geometrically structured pond in a wild forest, you should not create anything similar in garden design. The fundamental and natural elements of Japanese gardening include: water, stone, plants, and artificial elements such as bridges, sculptures, and lanterns.
Analysis of Comparative Components
Concept
The Iranian garden, like architecture, poetry, painting, music, and other artistic works of Iran, is characterized by innovations and subtleties within the framework of tradition and principles. It stands at the pinnacle of perfection, embodying unity in diversity and diversity in unity. In the Iranian garden, nothing is superfluous or exists solely for beauty. What is useful and necessary is presented beautifully and has an aspect of perfection and beauty. One conceptual perspective on the Iranian garden is its design as a reflection of the characteristics of the Qur’anic paradise. However, this is not the only aspect; when mentioning the characteristics of paradise, it refers to details such as the flow of streams, shade, lush greenery, fruits, and expansiveness. It is believed that the Iranian garden can be seen as a manifestation of the model of the garden of paradise, shaped by profound beliefs and worldviews regarding the afterlife. From a visual perspective, the physical, sensory, and conceptual elements in the Iranian garden (such as the Garden of Dowlat Abad) are seen as manifestations of Qur’anic concepts of environment and heavenly landscape.
Similarly, in the Japanese garden, gardening is not merely a physical act; rather, the act of gardening itself is a sacred journey and a spiritual practice. The initial stages of this journey and care involve its design and construction, while the subsequent stages include pruning and arranging the garden, which ensures its longevity. Japanese gardens are more than mere landscapes that we observe; they are filled with life and are, in fact, life itself. The Japanese garden seeks to represent the essence of nature, with the belief that the greatest beauty is found in pristine nature. In this garden, hills and ponds are designed so intelligently that they mimic mountains and oceans. The thought and intention behind this type of garden is to bring a wide range of nature into a small garden, even a home garden. Therefore, the Japanese garden is a very important tool in Japanese architectural design: it is not only traditionally considered in the architectural design of every house but also reflects the deep cultural and traditional meanings of that society, encompassing both artistic and intellectual dimensions. The main idea in the Japanese garden is the application of the notion that each component holds special significance, with a symbol lying behind each element; for instance, stones symbolize mountains, lanterns symbolize temples, shrubs symbolize trees, and ponds symbolize seas and lakes.
the body
In an Iranian garden, the outer environment is primarily in the shape of a complete square or rectangle and is enclosed by relatively high walls. The height of the walls varies depending on safety considerations and climatic factors in each location. The wall completely delineates the garden space from the surrounding environment. It emphasizes the separation between the outer space and the inner space of the garden. The trees planted along the garden wall, in accordance with its geometry, are all aligned with the geometry of the garden wall, enhancing its role as a framework. The overall inner space is divided into smaller areas following the geometric structure, with perpendicular lines dividing the garden space into four sections.
In contrast, a Japanese garden appears as a natural landscape and embodies a complete harmony between humans and nature, establishing a genuine and explicit connection with a delicate and complex balance that always requires redefinition. Human participation and intervention in existence are inseparable from the transformation of the garden, not only in its formation and creation but also in its preservation and maintenance, ultimately affecting the perception of anyone who visits it. While a single, abstract axis imposes a mental shock on individuals, the Japanese garden presents varied landscapes and views from diverse perspectives, showcasing maturity and complexity arising from awareness and insight. The garden holds significant historical importance, as if it were initially crafted and shaped by a sculptor rather than a gardener. Particularly under any circumstances, the Japanese garden represents a specific state, but this state can vary greatly depending on the individuals visiting the garden. The Japanese pay great attention to the selection of its composite elements when creating a garden, and their imitation of natural places in garden design is truly astonishing.
