For your browsing pleasure during the dog days of August, here’s a link to Frantisek Staud’s excellent photos of Japanese rock gardens, mostly in Kyoto temples. Be sure to follow the link to the 250 additional photos on another page. Staud is a professional photographer, so you can purchase prints or license images from the website.

He also has photos of a moss garden and lotus flowers, often used as a metaphor in Eastern esoteric religions. Lotus roots are eaten in Japan, by the way, and they are quite tasty.

If this appeals to you and you want to know how to make your own Japanese zen rock garden, here’s a knowledgeable explanation of the philosophy and techniques by Scott Reil that’s worth reading.