Borrowed Landscape

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The Art of Shakkei: Borrowing Scenery to Enhance Your Garden

Jièjǐng: The Principle of Incorporating Background Landscape

In traditional East Asian garden design, Jièjǐng is the principle of incorporating background landscape into the composition of a garden. Two types of borrowing are employed: distant borrowing that focuses on large-scale landscapes like mountains and lakes, and adjacent borrowing that involves neighboring buildings and landscape features.

Shakkei: The Concept of Borrowed Landscape

The ancient East Asian concept of shakkei, which translates to "borrowed landscape" or "borrowed scenery," can help create a greater connection between your home and the surrounding environment. By carefully positioning elements within your garden, you can "borrow" scenic views from beyond its boundaries, creating the illusion of a more expansive and immersive space.

Examples of Shakkei in Practice

The design of Genkyū Garden in Hikone, Japan, emphasizes the presence of Hikone Castle by incorporating it into the garden's composition. A garden trellis, climbing rose archway, or strategically placed tree planting can frame the borrowed element, seamlessly incorporating the distant background into the garden.

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