A Zen garden is the symbiotic fusion of Japanese philosophy and the art of garden design, a spiritual place of meditation and inner reflection that teaches mindfulness and brings joy to the eyes. If you want to get to know this garden culture, you won’t find as many wonderful gems in such a small area anywhere in the world as in Kyoto. Thomas Kierok photographed these unique gardens in all four seasons.

Through encounters with important Zen garden designers, he was able to develop his own photographic perspective inspired by the spirit of Zen. Poems by world-renowned Zen poets Dogen, Basho and Ryokan complement the visual masterpieces. The book is a a meditative journey, a sanctuary for the soul, a retreat between two covers whenever the need for calm, inspiration and grounding arises.

With a prologue by Shunmyo Masuno, best-selling author, garden architect, and professor of garden art at Tama Art University in Tokyo.