Water as a Landscape Element in Historic Garden: The Comparison of Mughal Garden and Japanese Garden

Samkhuntod, Onumpai

Water as a Landscape Element in Historic Garden: The Comparison of Mughal Garden and Japanese Garden

James Alexander Gordon on 9th October 2025

Author Information

Onumpai Samkhuntod, Kasetsart University, Thailand

Abstract

Water has long been an important landscape element in garden design. Many historic gardens contain a variety of water features that provide different character and distinct atmospheres. This article seeks to explore water as a landscape element in two major historic gardens, i.e. Mughal garden and Japanese garden, through document study along with on-site observation. All the fieldwork sites are considered pleasure gardens owned by the royal family and built at the same period of time. It is found that in Mughal gardens, i.e. Shalimar Bagh and Achabal, Kashmir, settled in the mountainous terrain with slight slopes, the water character is the movement. The water body is rather small and built in geometric forms. It creates a sense of pleasure and joyfulness. Whereas in Japanese gardens, i.e. Katsura Imperial Villa and Sento Imperial Palace, Kyoto, settled in the flat terrain, the water character is static. The water body is quite large and built in organic forms. It creates a sense of peacefulness and tranquillity. Through the comparison of Mughal gardens and Japanese gardens, water can be employed in creating pleasure gardens in various ways due to its context. This observation of water in historic gardens can help to better understand the application and effectiveness of water in landscape design.