Montréal Botanical Garden. Photo : Médiathèque du Jardin botanique de Montréal

In creating a garden there is only basic rule: be faithful to your first conception of its composition, and then let your heart speak.
Sakutei-ki, 11^th century

Ken Nakajima, creator of the Montréal Japanese Garden, readily agrees that a garden must be more than ornamental. It must have that something that touches the heart (fuzei), and brings contentment and peace to those who are able to appreciate it.

So go out into our Japanese garden as you leave this exhibition. Follow its winding paths and explore every nook and cranny.

Take a seat on a bench, to contemplate its changing beauty as the hours pass and the light transforms the view.

May you come away refreshed, feeling the grace of fuzei.

Open Windows on Japanese Gardens 1. Opening a window onto a universe 2. A very famous Zen garden 3. Step by step on stepping stones 4. Endless maintenance 5. Key to the project: the choice of stone 6. The birth of a "Japanese" garden in Montréal 7. Wanted: Hardy species 8. The three religions of Japan 9. Three gardens, three relationships between man and Nature 10. Shakkei or borrowed scenery 11. Living symbols 12. 3, 5, 7 13. Of appearance and essence 14. Precious, colourful carp 15. Mineral strength 16. Changing scale 17. The spirit of stone 18. Islands of the Immortals 19. Plants and time 20. Discreet but essential ground covers 21. Shrubs and the art of plant sculpture 22. Trees, venerable above all 23. Water, a moving mirror of life 24. A pond and its fish 25. Islands and bridges 26.Flowing, shimmering water 27. Listen to your Heart 28. Some important dates

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