The Japanese garden is held in great esteem throughout the world, but it succeeds by blending opposites - an energy of line and material worked with great restraint; nature expressed in the driving force of a waterfall or in pebbles swept into patterns around a boulder. Both concentrate on nature in its own right, and invite the visitor to find refreshment in the atmosphere of quiet beauty.

Japan's noted garden photographer, Haruzo Ohashi, here demonstrates his knowledge of and sensitivity to this subject, and Japanese Gardens of the Modern Era, is an appropriate sequel to the classic landscapes of Japanese Garden. Here the time span is from the end of the Edo Period to present-day Showa. Some gardens are shown in seasonal variety, but all combine energy and serenity, the contrasts and harmonies of the design principles.

The author Asako Muroo writes the foreword to this book, and the appendix gives information on the gardens, as well as photographic details. The book is an invaluable reference for gardener and photographer alike.