Hi there, and welcome to the latest edition of Shizen Style Weekly, where we talk about developing a natural and Japan-inspired creative lifestyle.
I've been thinking about how Japanese gardens are designed to thrive in the heat of summer, while most of us are just trying to survive it. This week, as temperatures hit the 90s (even into the 100’s in some places), I found myself studying how traditional gardeners work with the season instead of against it.
This reminded me of something I learned in Japan
In Kyoto's Ryoan-ji temple, there's a famous rock garden that looks completely different in summer heat. The morning shadows are sharper, the afternoon light creates entirely new patterns on the gravel, and—here's the part that gets me—the rocks seem to float in waves of heat shimmer.
The gardeners planned for this. They knew that summer wouldn't just be "spring but hotter." They designed for the specific quality of summer light, summer shadows, summer stillness.
I've been experimenting with this idea in my own space. Instead of fighting the heat, what if I embraced summer's unique aesthetic? Deeper shadows, the sound of evening cicadas, the way morning dew transforms everything before 7 AM.
Things that deepened my practice this week
Ancient cooling meets modern life: I discovered that the traditional Japanese concept of suzushisa (涼しさ) isn't just about temperature—it's about the feeling of coolness. Visual coolness (blue ceramics, flowing water), auditory coolness (wind chimes, bamboo), even psychological coolness (the anticipation of evening).
Traditional Japanese gardens use something called uchimizu—the practice of sprinkling water on pathways and courtyards in summer evenings. It's not just about cooling; it's about creating a sensory experience. The smell of wet stone, the sound of droplets, the visual shimmer.
I can't stop looking at how water moves differently in summer heat—faster evaporation means you see the whole cycle compressed into minutes.
I just discovered: The reason Japanese gardens use so much moss isn't just aesthetic—moss stays 10-15 degrees cooler than grass in summer heat. Those gardeners were solving climate control 400 years before we called it that.
In the News: History made at Chelsea
Big news from the garden world: For the first time in Chelsea Flower Show history, one garden swept both the judges' choice AND the people's choice awards. Kazuyuki Ishihara's "Cha No Niwa" Japanese Tea Garden took home Garden of the Year and People's Choice Best Show Garden—an unprecedented double win.
What caught my attention: Ishihara's design philosophy perfectly embodies what I've been exploring about summer gardens. "Instead of adding lots of plants, I use a small amount and keep them pruned to create space. This is my signature style," he told Monty Don.
The garden features artfully placed stone and moss, with Acers, irises, and calming water—exactly the elements that help create coolness through visual and psychological means rather than just quantity. The design incorporates varying elevations, creating a sense of depth and is influenced by the traditional flower arranging art of ikebana.
Here's what I find fascinating: While most Chelsea gardens are "colourful and plant heavy," Ishihara proved that restraint wins hearts. His approach mirrors what I was saying about suzushisa—sometimes the feeling of coolness comes from what you don't add, not what you pile on. (visit the article)
Weekly Practice
The evening garden walk
Here's something simple that's been saving my sanity during these hot weeks: Every evening around 7 PM, I do a slow walk around my space.
The rules:
Move slowly enough to notice temperature changes
Stop and actually listen for 30 seconds
Touch one surface (stone, bark, soil) to feel how it's absorbed the day's heat
End by watering one plant mindfully
It's like a mini meditation, but grounded in seasonal reality instead of fighting it.
In Case You Missed It
Check out my latest YouTube video on 3 Japanese Minimalist Morning Rituals That Changed How I See Everything [Link to video]
Check out my recent YouTube video on The Great Matcha Crisis: What Japan's Tea Shortage Means for Your Health & Longevity [Link to video]
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From My Studio
Dive into the ethereal beauty of “Naples Sunset Blur,” a captivating photograph that captures the serene essence of Naples, Florida, just after sunset. This fine art photograph of mine is a perfect addition to any space, bringing a cooling feeling in this hot weather, along with a touch of coastal serenity and the alluring spirit of Naples into your home. Let it transport you to the gentle shores where the sky meets the sea, reminding you of the beauty found in stillness.
As the sun descends, the blue hour envelops the scene in a tranquil palette of deep blues and soft silvers, evoking a sense of peace and reflection. This moment perfectly encapsulates the enchanting charm of Naples, where stunning sunsets meet the soothing sounds of the ocean.
“Naples Sunset Blur” invites you to embrace the calming rhythms of nature and the beauty of fleeting moments. Purchase this photograph or see it on your wall space HERE!
P.S. I'm planning to do a series on how different seasons change our creative energy. Summer feels so different from spring's urgency—more contemplative, like those long afternoon shadows. What season do you do your best creative work in? Just curious.
From My Studio
Reader question: "How do I create a sense of coolness in my small apartment?"
This connects perfectly to something I write about in my book—Japanese apartments are tiny, but they master the art of seasonal transformation. A few simple swaps can completely change the energy:
Replace heavy textures with lighter ones (linen over wool)
Add one element that suggests water (even a blue ceramic bowl)
Create cross-breezes with strategic placement of objects
Use the ma principle—more empty space feels cooler
Speaking of the book—if you missed last week's announcement, the paperback of Seasonal Japanese Garden Design is now available. Perfect summer reading for anyone wanting to understand how traditional gardens work with, not against, the seasons. Get your copy here.
P.S. I'm planning to do a series on how different seasons change our creative energy. Summer feels so different from spring's urgency—more contemplative, like those long afternoon shadows. What season do you do your best creative work in? Just curious.
Until next time :)