This is a fantastic book! The photos are beautiful and there is lots of information. I would recommend this! Special Thank You to Kazuaki Tanahashi, Shambhala Publications and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is an informative book that is likely to appeal to those with a genuine interest in Zen history and aesthetics. While I enjoyed parts of it, I also found myself getting bogged down and skimming. I had mistakenly expected a breezier discussion of Zen gardens with lots of lush photographs, and I feel like this is probably a bit too academic for a casual reader. That’s my fault for not reading the description more carefully. I don’t feel qualified to judge how well this book will suit its intended audience, but for me, it was just ok.

In Part 1, Buddhist scholar, translator, and artist Kazuaki Tanahashi Zen discusses Zen history, spirituality, and aesthetics, with quotes from the Heart Sutra and other Buddhist writings. In Part 2, he discusses how various gardens at Zen temples in Kyoto embody seven important qualities of Zen art, demonstrated in the accompanying photographs by Mitsue Nagase. The back matter includes additional reference material, such as maps, plans, bibliography, and index.

I reviewed an unproofed electronic ARC, so I cannot comment on the final formatting. According to the book’s description, the hardcover book is just over 8 by 10 inches, or about the size of a sheet of notebook paper.

Thanks to Shambhala for providing me with an electronic ARC through NetGalley. I volunteered to provide an honest review.

This is a thorough book on the topic with all kinds of information. It wasn’t quite what I was looking for but will be a fascinating resource for anyone interested in learning more about Zen gardens.

One thing anyone can appreciate about Japanese Zen Buddhism is the gardens and the wonderful beauty of their designs in connection to nature. Kazuaki Tanahashi offers an excellent perspective of how enlightened people manifest their sharp acuities about their surroundings.

Gardens of Awakening includes diagrams through the power of description. The picture allows the readers into the sacred spaces of great thinkers, designs, and practitioners. Exactness and refinement are shown in the landscapes, and Tanahashi gives more details of the logic behind the approaches to manicuring the landscapes. The traditional practices of Zen Buddhism are essential to understanding the motivations of the landscapers. Tanahashi provides in-depth explanations and backgrounds.

Thank you, Net Galley and Shambhala Publications for this Advanced Reader's Copy.

A beautifully illustrated book on the history and the development of Zen Gardens. I learned a lot about them and I LOVED the illustrations. This would be a perfect gift for a garden, history, or photography lover. 4.5/5

“Gardens of Awakening” by Kazuaki Tanahashi

This book is a great book about the history of Zen Gardening. I thought it would be more about how to make these types of gardens in your own home, but it leans more heavily on the history of Zen gardening styles. It was a really good book though and I was glad I read it. The gardens in the book are absolutely beautiful. 3 out of 5 stars.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley.

There are some really beautiful pictures of Japanese Zen gardens in this book. However, I'd recommend this book more to people wanting to know a brief history of China and Japan with regards to the gardens and the time period in which they were created and how the elements of Zen Buddhism relate, rather than someone looking more for a deep analysis of the gardens themselves.

I loved everything about this book. I have always enjoyed Japanese gardens but this book was educational. This book takes you way beyond the garden explaining symbols throughout centuries. Very enjoyable!

Having recently visited Kyoto again, it was so nice to see these beautiful pictures during all seasons and the wonderful histories behind the gardens. Would be a wonderful coffee table book

A beautifully laid out book, there are quotes, history, mindfulness, and the photos practically leap off the page in their stark attractiveness.

I loved looking through, and then reading this one.

Would make an excellent gift or coffee table book. Recommended.



Thank you to Shambhala and NetGalley for the DRC

This book beautifully captures the history and the scenery of Zen gardens. It is a creation of word and nature, crafted into a book suited for a coffee table centerpiece. I would recommend this book for ideas on traditional Zen gardening, and how best to apply those practices to your own personal Zen space.