One of the pleasures of visiting Kyoto is to wander around picturesque streets lined with machiya, the traditional townhouses of the merchant class. Tucked away inside each of these unusually long, narrow dwellings are hidden oases; small gardens known as tsuboniwa. Following on from Landscapes for Small Spaces and The Hidden Gardens of Kyoto, the third book of garden enthusiast and photographer Katsuhiko Mizuno focuses on courtyard gardens of the machiya.

A wide variety of gardens are beautifully photographed and presented: from those in shops, inns, restaurants, and teahouses, to gardens in many private homes. A total of 150 color images from 81 gardens bring the reader an unprecedented display of the flawless taste of Kyoto aesthetics.

Superb manipulation of limited spaces--the positioning of a lantern or water basin, a strategically placed patch of pebbles or fern--is beautifully captured through the photographer's lens. Surrounding architectural features, such as shoji sliding doors, reed blinds, head beams, railings, and walkways are also featured, bringing the authentic Kyoto atmosphere to life, and showing how these gardens can bring a taste of nature to city dwellers.

Each photograph is accompanied by analytical and insightful comments from the author, making this a useful reference book for all garden lovers, as well as a visual feast for all those with an interest in traditional Japanese design.

* Sumptuous color photographs of 81 gardens of 52 houses bring the reader an unprecedented display of the flawless taste of Kyoto aesthetics.

* Mizuno's insightful comments and analysis makes this book an ideal reference book for connoisseurs of the Japanese garden as well as aficionados of traditional Japanese design.

* Eleven diagrams give detailed plans showing the diverse man-made and natural elements that make up the various gardens.

* Concise explanations of the plants and stones that contribute to the design and atmosphere of these small gardens.