Research on Changsha Gardens in Ming Dynasty, China

Weiwen Li and Chi Gao ()
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Weiwen Li: Department of Landscape Architecture, Huazhong Agricultural University, No. 1 Shizishan Street, Hongshan District, Wuhan 430070, China
Chi Gao: Department of Landscape Architecture, Huazhong Agricultural University, No. 1 Shizishan Street, Hongshan District, Wuhan 430070, China

Land, 2023, vol. 12, issue 3, 1-16

Abstract: Despite the growing interest in Chinese gardens, there is a lack of research on Changsha Gardens. Through document retrieval, review, and map analysis, we reconstructed the Changsha Gardens during the Ming Dynasty. Our findings reveal that gardening flourished in Changsha during this period. The royal gardens, dominated by literati aesthetics, set the trend for development, while the landscaping techniques were influenced by Jiangnan Gardens. Private gardens placed more emphasis on artistic mood and cultural implications. Landscape architects incorporated towers, terraces, and suburban mountain gardening to borrow scenery. The use of spring water to create landscapes and the rectangular shapes of the water bodies reflected Neo-Confucianism and practical functions. Planting design focused on meaning over form, with landscapes used to commemorate sages and promote the farming and reading culture and other Confucian values. However, it relied too much on borrowing natural scenery and the pragmatism of the Hunan culture, which might have affected the progress of landscaping techniques and the development of Changsha Gardens. Changsha Gardens were not as skilled as Jiangnan Gardens, and the style was not as prominent as other regional schools of gardens. This might be the reason why Changsha Gardens have not become one of the regional schools of gardens in China.

Keywords: landscape architecture; Changsha Garden; Chinese garden in the Ming Dynasty; Hunan Garden; landscaping technique; landscaping ideas (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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