ISLAMIC TRADITIONS: THE PARADISE GARDEN IN MOORISH SPAIN AND MUGHAL INDIA
Summarize in your own words the key points of the Ruggles reading ("Gardens, Landscape and Vision in the Palaces of Islamic Spain") from Week 5 (Moorish Spain) and the readings on Japanese gardens from Goto & Naka and Treib (Japanese Gardens, Gardens of Kyoto) from Week 5 (China & Japan). Then provide a critique or personal reflection on the readings, drawing comparison/contrast between each culture’s attitudes and approaches towards shaping the landscape — what did you learn about Moorish attitudes towards "the countryside" or "nature"? About Japanese attitudes towards the same? About the organization, social or utilitarian function and religious symbolism of the Moorish garden/agricultural landscape versus the Japanese landscape garden? Did you find more similarities/continuities or differences between the Islamic/Moorish approach and the Japanese approach to landscape and garden-making? Explain, using specific details or examples from the readings. Briefly describe the evolution/progression of the Japanese garden from sites of nature worship to increasing abstraction, using examples from reading. Finally, include at least 2 questions for further discussion that each of these readings raised for you.
Sample Solution
Islamic architectural gardens from Moorish Spain represent a distinct and influential style of garden design. Gardens were created not only to be aesthetically pleasing but also served as “pieces of paradise” that connected their inhabitants to their spiritual values (Ruggles, 1995). These gardens were typically surrounded by walls or hedges, featured water features such strong fountains or pools, contained tile work and colored glass mosaics, and had pathways interspersed with benches and shaded pavilions. Islamic gardens also included symbolic elements like orange trees to symbolize abundance as well as plants associated with specific virtues such as rosemary to symbolize remembrance (Goto & Naka, 2001).
Japanese gardens follow similar principles for aesthetics but differ in the way that they focus on achieving harmony between humans and nature. Japanese gardens emphasize simplicity and restraint in design; this is done using various techniques like creating asymmetry with rocks or combining different elements into one landscape feature (Treib, 2000). They often incorporate natural settings like hillsides or rivers along with man-made structures such shrines or bridges which are thought to bring together human activity within nature’s realm (Goto & Naka, 2001). Additionally Japanese gardens employ techniques that deliberately create mystery by obscuring vision around paths so that visitors can slowly explore a larger space than what initially appears before them (Treib 2000)
Both Islamic Spanish and Japanese garden styles have heavily influenced European garden designs over time; however each has unique features that make them stand out on their own. Islamic architecture emphasizes bright colors while Japan focuses more on subtlety. Moreover while both contain objects meant to evoke spiritual sentiments Islamic Gardens tend to be more ornate while Japanese Gardens strive for simplicity through careful design choices.
