In Japanese gardens, visitors find nature condensed and brought to perfection: trees are trained and sculpted; the finest natural landscapes are reproduced in miniature; and the seasons are celebrated with spring blossom and the fiery leaves of autumn. In this introduction to Japanese gardens, Helena Attlee captures the essence of Japanese garden style and gives an outline of its history. She then explores in detail 28 of the great Japanese gardens, explaining their character and nature. Alex Ramsay's superb photographs, specially taken for the book, illustrate every aspect of the gardens.

Author Biography

Helena Attlee is an author and journalist who has made the garden and its history her special subject. Her books include The Gardens of Portugal, Italian Gardens: A Cultural History and Gardens of Wales (all published by Frances Lincoln). She lectures widely, writes for a wide range of journals and magazines, and leads specialist garden tours. She lives with her husband, the photographer Alex Ramsay. Alex Ramsay is well known as an award-winning photographer of architecture, gardens and landscapes. His work has appeared in leading magazines worldwide and illustrates many books including Helena Attlee's Italian Gardens: A Cultural History and Gardens of Wales.