The Garden Revealed, Episode 2: This Is the Classic of Garden Making, Yuan Ye
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Previously we discussed the Xingzao Lun (On Construction) chapter of Yuan Ye, selecting some of its most representative passages, and today we take this opportunity to talk with you about the Yuanshuo (On Gardens) chapter of Yuan Ye
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The Yuanshuo is actually a general introduction in the entire Yuan Ye, mainly discussing what kind of location is most suitable for garden making, what plants to grow in which places, and we can even perceive the aesthetics of the ancients from it
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As before, we will still extract some passages for everyone to savor
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Original text excerpt (Yuanshuo)
Whenever one builds a garden, whether in a village or a city, a secluded location is preferable; when planting trees, one should clear away the weeds; scenery should be created according to circumstances, and orchids and angelica should be planted together along the streams.
Translation: In general, when building a garden, whether in a village or a town, a place far from the hustle and bustle of markets is preferable; when planting trees, weeds must be cleared away; scenery should be created by drawing on the natural environment, planting orchids and angelica along the streams.
There are a few words here that need attention. One is "penghao," which actually refers to weeds, showing that clearing weeds in gardens was very important whether in ancient or modern times. The other is "lanzhi," which many people think means orchids, but actually both "lan" and "zhi" here refer to fragrant herbs.
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Original text excerpt (Yuanshuo)
The enclosing wall is faintly visible among the vines, and the framed house winds along the treetops. The mountain tower commands a distant view, and wherever one looks, all is so.
Translation: The enclosing wall should be hidden among the vines yet faintly visible, and the house frame extends in winding fashion to the tips of the trees. From the loft on the mountain, one gazes far into the distance, and everywhere one looks is beautiful scenery.
Having previously watched CCTV's program on gardens, this point is indeed true. In classical gardens, many gardens are very fond of having the enclosing wall faintly visible among the vines, so Chinese classical gardens are also called walking landscape paintings, which is very apt.