The Japanese Garden

In 2014 Sophie Walker became the youngest woman to design a garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Having studied art history, Sophie later qualified in horticulture, plant science, and garden design. Based in London, she practises globally. In addition to designing gardens, Sophie lectures on conceptual design, the Japanese garden, planting, and the garden environment.

"There are many books that have been written on Japanese gardens, on their beauty, their philosophy and their history. What is so significant/exceptional about Sophie's book is the way in which her essays unveil the very contemporary relevance of the subject. I love her writing; she brings the ancient art of these gardens into the context of today."-Luciano Giubbilei, garden designer

"Sophie Walker: a name to watch." -Independent

"The act of seeing, and the concentration of seeing, takes an effort. The gardens impose that effort on you if you want to see them. It's another way of ordering your vision, and it slows down your vision." -Richard Serra

"Japanese gardens present a world that is profoundly un-human. The driving principle is not anthropocentricism, but rather keeping in step with the providence of the universe." -Lee Ufan

"The Japanese Garden offers an explanation of the semantic foundations of Japanese garden design... The book could act as a very good alternative guide to an ambitious horticultural trip. Rather, however, Walker's point is that we should embrace the ethos of Japanese gardening - that it exists to transport our minds and build our inner worlds, rather than be used to expand our experience of what is around us - and channel that appreciation of nature into garden design... Japanese gardening isn't so alien, as anyone who has found connection and peace in their garden will know. As Walker says: "Many a great thought has occurred while weeding the garden". In Japan, the gardens are designed to encourage those who admire them to think, too."-The Daily Telegraph, Gardening

"An incredible ode to the beauty and tranquillity of the country's gardening tradition... Will make you want to book a flight to Kyoto immediately."-AnOthermag.com

"A beautiful book."-Spectator

"Just leafing through Sophie Walker's The Japanese Garden brings a feeling of calm and tranquillity... Walker covers their