Ordination of Selected Traditional Japanese Gardens, Traditional Chinese Gardens, and Modern Chinese Gardens

A principal component analysis (PCA) reveals distinct yet overlapping characteristics among traditional Japanese gardens, classical Chinese gardens, and modern Chinese gardens. The first three components explain 70.77% of the variance, highlighting a spectrum from traditional Asian values to non-Asian dimensions, complexity to simplicity, and hardscape to softscape elements. Traditional Japanese and classical Chinese gardens share similarities in hardscape-softscape balance, while traditional Japanese and modern Chinese gardens exhibit similarities in complexity-simplicity traits. The study analyzed 134 variables across 20 gardens, offering insights into the evolution of garden design principles.

Chen, D., Burley, J. B., Machemer, T., & Schutzki, R. (2021). Ordination of Selected Traditional Japanese Gardens, Traditional Chinese Gardens, and Modern Chinese Gardens. International Journal of Culture and History, 8(1), 14. https://doi.org/10.5296/ijch.v8i1.18250