Asian Road

Characteristics

In addition to trees and shrubs, the Japanese garden makes artistic use of rocks, sand, artificial hills, ponds, and flowing water.In contrast to the geometrically arranged trees and rocks of a Western-stvle garden, the Japanese garden traditionally creates a scenic composition that, as artlessly as possible, mimics nature.

Garden designers followed 3 basic principles when composing scenes. They are reduced scale, symbolisation, and "borrowed views". The first refers to the miniaturisation of natural views of mountains and rivers so as to reunite them in a confined area. This could mean the creation of idealised scenes of a mountain village, even within a city. Symbolisation involves abstraction, an example being the use of white sand to suggest the sea. Designers "borrowed views" when they used background views that were outside and beyond the garden, such as a mountain or the ocean, and had them become an integral part of the scenic composition.

The basic framework of the Japanese garden, according to one school of thought, is provided by rocks and the way they are grouped. Ancient Japanese, we know, believed that a place surrounded by rocks was inhabited by gods, thus naming it amatsu iwasaka (heavenly barrier) or amatsu iwakura (heavenly seat). Likewise, a dense cluster of trees was called himorogi (divine hedge); moats and streams, thought to enclose sacred ground, were referred to as mizugaki (water fences).

Japanese gardens can be classified into 2 general types: the tsukiyama (hill garden), which is composed of hills and ponds, and the hiraniwa l (flat garden), a flat area without hills and ponds. At first, it was common to employ the hill style for the main garden or a mansion and the flat style for limited spaces. The latter type, however, became more popular with the introduction of the tea ceremony and the chashitsu (tea-ceremony room).


Gardens in Ancient Times

The earliest known gardens date back to the Asuka period (593-710) and the Nara period (710-794). In the Yamato area (now in Nara Prefecture), designers of imperial family gardens and those of powerful clans created imitations of ocean scenes that featured large ponds dotted with islands and skirted with "seashores". It was at this time that Buddhism was brought to Japan from the continent by way of the Korean peninsula. Immigrants from there added continental influences to Japanese gardens, such as stone fountains and bridges of Chinese origin.


Tea Garden

The tea garden, imbued with a quiet spirituality, was developed in conjunction with the tea Ceremony, as taught by Sen no Rikyu. It was through the tea garden, which avoided artificiality and was created so as to retain a highly natural appearance, that one approached the teahouse. Today's Japanese garden incorporates a number or elements inherited from the tea garden, such as stepping stones, stone lanterns, and clusters of trees. The simply designed gazebos in which guests are served tea also have their origin in the tea garden.

via: http://www.soundintermedia.co.uk/treeline-online/gardens.html

Chinese and Asian food is increasingly popular in the West. Our cooking relies heavily on the use of a Wok and fresh ingredient. Chinese and Asian food is fast and nutritious as well as gastronomically and visually stimulating. Food is cut into bite size pieces for rapid cooking. This is the reason you won’t find a knife at a Chinese dining table.

In the district of Canton, the ancient epicurean capital of China, the unique method of ‘Chow’ or stir-frying was devised centuries ago. This was due to food and fuel being scarce and expensive, that cooking had to be done quickly, without waste and using the minimum wood or charcoal. In recent times, nutrition experts and gourmet have become interested in stir-frying as a means of conserving both vital nutrients and flavour nuances

Chinese food is categorised into geographical categories: Eastern foods, including Shanghai style dishes, are known for their seafood and sugary tastes. Western Chinese foods, such as Sichuan dishes, incorporate a lot of chilli peppers, making them very hot and spicy. Southern cuisine includes Cantonese style dishes with sweet and sour combinations. Northern foods, also called Peking foods, are famous for their flour dishes such as breads, noodles and dumplings.

Cantonese food is probably the best known internationally. Fresh materials and an exact degree of heat ensure a fresh and tender texture of Cantonese food.The major condiments are oyster sauce, fermented soya bean sauce, fish sauce, sugar and vinegar.
Cantonese food, (Southern style) tends to be more colourful, less spicy and is usually stir-fried, which preserves both texture and flavour. Because most Chinese emigrants to other countries hail from the Canton region, this style of cooking has almost become synonymous in the West with Chinese cuisine.

Most Asian cooking such as Singapore, Thai and Malaysian food originate from China with the main difference being the use if local herbs and spices.

Noddles are also very popular in the far East due to its simplicity and versatility and because it symbolises longevity.

source: http://www.opium-pearl-republic.co.uk

The Chinese animal signs are a 12-year cycle used for dating the years. They represent a cyclical concept of time, rather than the Western linear concept of time. The Chinese Lunar Calendar is based on the cycles of the moon, and is constructed in a different fashion than the Western solar calendar. In the Chinese calendar, the beginning of the year falls somewhere between late January and early February. The Chinese have adopted the Western calendar since 1911, but the lunar calendar is still used for festive occasions such as the Chinese New Year. Many Chinese calendars will print both the solar dates and the Chinese lunar dates.
According to Chinese legend, the twelve animals quarreled one day as to who was to head the cycle of years. The gods were asked to decide and they held a contest: whoever was to reach the opposite bank of the river would be first, and the rest of the animals would receive their years according to their finish.
All the twelve animals gathered at the river bank and jumped in. Unknown to the ox, the rat had jumped upon his back. As the ox was about to jump ashore, the rat jumped off the ox's back, and won the race. The pig, who was very lazy, ended up last. That is why the rat is the first year of the animal cycle, the ox second, and the pig last.
The rotating cycle of twelve animal signs was a folk method for naming the years in traditional China. The animal signs for one another in an established order, and are repeated every twelve years. 1976 was the Year of the Dragon, and 1977 was the year of the Snake.

source: http://www.c-c-c.org

Zen Alarm Clock
Chinese Ch'an, which was developed in the 6th century and adopted by the Japanese in the 12th century as Zen, is believed to transmit the spirit or essence of Buddhism. Our Zen Alarm Clock’s long-resonating Tibetan bell-like chime makes waking up a beautiful experience.Once you use a Zen Clock, nothing else will do!



Square Dragon Clock

The new millennium dramatically began with the Year of the Dragon. According to Chinese beliefs, opportunities and prosperity are plentiful during the year in which the dragon reigns.




Square Yin Yang Clock

The two forces yin and yang are believed to be complimentary and contrasting principles. Each makes up for what the other lacks, and the wholeness of the world would be incomplete if there were a deficiency of either.




Chinese Numbers Clock

The Chinese made several scientific advancements during the Eastern Han Dynasty (AD 25 - 220). Among these accomplishments, they developed a way to divide the day into 12 periods, inventing sundials and water clocks to tell time. Although these mechanisms were devised mainly for astronomical uses, they paved the way for modern clocks. Our unique Chinese clock features Chinese calligraphy numbers.

source: http://www.asianideas.com