The austere, enigmatic rock gardens of Kyoto, Japan's ancient capital, have never ceased to fascinate garden lovers. Weather-beaten rocks set in an expanse of white sand raked into geometric patterns challenge the idea of a garden as a space chiefly dedicated to the cultivation and appreciation of plants. How did the taste for this kind of garden arise? What do the stones represent? Why aren't there more flowers? Japanese Zen Gardens sets out to answer...

A look at 26 Japanese-style public gardens in the United States and Canada.

"A young girl finds a way to give the gift of a traditional Japanese garden back to her beloved grandfather and accept a difficult change."--