The garden as inspiration Thegarden embodies a condensed version of nature, just as, in Japanesephilosophy, the entire world is thought to be reflected in a singledewdrop. This notion may be the inspiration for the Swiss imitation ofJapanese gardens in the 20th century, the impetus for the incorporationof Japanese design elements more generally, and the conversion principlefrom alpine landscapes to Japanese stone gardens. Taking ten Swisslandscape architecture studios as examples, the author illustrates howthey drew inspiration from miniaturized gardens (bonsai), borrowedscenery (shakkei), succumbed to the allure of the imperfect (wabi-sabi),and captured the spirit of Zen Buddhism. This book reveals parallels tothe assimilation of Chinese influences in Japan and situates thephenomenon withinthegeneralreceptionofJapanintheWest. Attractive and previously unpublished visual materials Well-researched content presented in a clear and appealing manner Japanophilia in Swiss landscape architecture with a photoessay by Martin Linsi Japan as a source of inspiration for Swiss gardens and parks Reassessment of landscape architecture in Switzerland Unknown photos, plans and drawings from various archives.