Scholar Gardens of China

Book excerpt: This book is the most thorough study of its subject in any western language. It places particular emphasis on urban context and highlights the unique contribution made by the Chinese garden to architectural spatial design, using new analysis. It examines the history and form of the private garden and the special relationship which existed between house and garden. A study of the novel The Dream of Red Mansions explores the intellectual fascination of the Chinese scholar with the art of the garden. Dr Johnston explores more than forty gardens (having studied most of them at first hand) and, using a wealth of photographs and drawings most of which have never previously been published, makes a meticulous analysis of each. This investigation of gardens from the Han, Tan and Song dynasties includes the great classical tradition of Suzhou, private gardens from seven other Chinese cities, and the lesser-known vernacular garden tradition of small towns and villages.