The three most classic Japanese water garden styles are Sibiu , Wabi. And Sabi.
The literal translation of the word Shibui means puckery and is associated with the astringent qualities of the green permission. Things that are shibui (also known as shibuimono) are symbolic of elements that are more austere and reserved in nature, rather than sweet or cute! The word is also associated with “good taste” in the Japanese language.
Still water or reflective water is associated with this design element.
Things that are shibui are also considered to be timeless. It describes elements that are simple, yet beautiful. In Japanese Garden design a number of characteristics define it as shibui including:
• A lack of clutter. The Japanese Garden pond is not the place where you will find a cluster of ceramic garden gnomes.
• Smooth planar surfaces. Flowers are not planted or hung from trees or other structures. Gleaming planes of rock are preferable.
• Odd numbers. Plants and other objects gathered together in low odd numbers (such as two or three rocks as opposed to seventy multi-colored rocks). The asymmetry of the number is three is preferable to the symmetry of things grouped in twos.\
• Sublety. Structures and pathways boast little or no decoration, only the most minimal of symbols.
• No corners. The pond is round in shape.
• Minimal Use of Color. The garden makes use of monochromatic colors. The desired colors of the garden pond are greens with the occasional dash of pink from a lotus.
The Wabi style is also very popular.Wabi also refers to arrangements that provoke a sense of melancholia or existentialism in the viewer. An example of a Wabi type aesthetic experience in a pond is the replacing of a rock that has been pounded smooth by the slow dripping of falling water over time. There is no direct way to explain this in English, but one quality of Wabi is its ability to provoke both elation and sadness at the same time. Babbling and trickling sounds are associated with this type of pond as are objects that have been worn by water or weather.
Such a garden pond’s intention is to restore emotional equilibrium to psyches that are out of touch with nature.
The word that best describes the Sabi concept of the aesthetic that is most comparable to the Western ideas is rustic. Objects in a Sabi garden have a patina and well-worn look to them. The entire aesthetic of Sabi is that “with age comes beauty.”
Sabi gardens show an appreciation of wizened objects such as very old Bonsai trees. There is a serenity and privacy to a Sabi garden that often features very old lichens, bamboo and stone draping into the water In this case, irregularities of nature, such as the occasional creeping vine or stray ground cover is allowed as these plants represent the omnipresent passage of time.