Mirei Shigemori - rebel in the garden

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Mirei Shigemori profoundly influenced Japanese landscape architecture in the twentieth century. He founded the Kyoto Garden Society in 1932 and published the 26-volume Illustrated Book on the History of the Japanese Garden in 1938. A year later, he designed his first masterwork, the garden of Tôfuku-ji Temple. Over his lifetime until 1975, he created 240 gardens across Japan, including the renowned Tenrai-an tea garden (1969) and the Matsuo Taisha garden (1975). His gardens uniquely honor tradition while embracing Western modernity, developing an independent language of design. The first part of the book explores Shigemori’s life and influences, including his interests in ikebana and tea ceremonies. The second part provides detailed presentations of around seventeen gardens, showcasing his innovative approach to landscape design. Shigemori's work reflects a harmonious blend of respect for historical practices and a forward-thinking vision that continues to resonate in contemporary garden design.