Title

Material Environment, Artistic Scene, and Ultimate Spiritual Principle:
The Aesthetics of Multi-layer Landscape Architecture in Bai Juyi's Lü-dao Garden

Author

Hou, Nai-huei 

Genre

Article  

Pages

445-476

Download

PDF

Language

Chinese  

Key words

Tang Dynasty, Bai Juyi白居易, Lü-dao Garden履道園, waterscape,
spatial poetics, landscape architecture, humanistic geography

Abstract

     This paper combines spatial poetics, landscape architecture theory and humanistic geographical ideology, analyzing Tang Dynasty Poet Bai Juyi's 白居易 aesthetics of multi-layer landscape architecture on the waterscape of his Lü-dao Garden 履道園. This paper is divided into five parts. Part One discusses Bai Juyi's Lü-dao Garden as the typical “Dream Home;” the poet projected his subjective values and conducted multi-layer landscape architecture to shape his wooded garden, and waterscape is a crucial element in this project. Part Two discusses the aspect of the material
environment in landscape architecture. Lü-dao Garden, with a pond in the center surrounded by meandering water paths, creates a focal point to showcase variations and can be appreciated from 360 degrees. It also offers a space allowing for wandering endlessly in loops.
    Thirdly, discuss the aspect of the artistic scene which Bai Juyi's created with the arrangement of surrounding waterscapes under the bed, producing the exclusive delight of “corner space” and symbolic imagery of lounging gestures above water. The reflection in the water is used to establish a microcosm, liberating conventional relationships when viewing the space. By re-organizing sceneries from South of the Yangzi River, he created a miniature homeland based on his memory; a transcendental angle is used as if lying on a boat to review the self's perspective. Part Four discusses landscaping actions involved in accordance with the ultimate spiritual principles. Bai Juyi applied a method of contemplative investigation in researching matters and efforts in meditative Zen practices to create a deep, distilled and lucid state for Lü-dao Garden as the ultimate spiritual principle, constructing a blissful condition of self-containment and perfection. Part Five is the conclusion.