PENGARUH ELEMEN PENANDA PADA PENGENALAN IDENTITAS TAMAN JEPANG

Abstract

Japanese garden is one of the finest gardens in the world. Its beauty has been recognized
in many countries outside Japan. Although it is difficult to be created in tropical climate such as in
Indonesia, many Indonesian would like to have Japanese garden in their home. This Research
investigated the possibility to create Japanese garden with less element in tropical environment
without losing its identity. Two initial exploration studies were conducted in Kyoto and Indonesia.
Fourteen traditional gardens were chosen to be explored in the first exploration study. Its aim
was to understand material and composition variation of each element in the original setting.
The second one was carried out in Indonesia to find out the image of Japanese garden in the
expert's point of view. The findings of these studies were used to design ten series of pictures.
Each picture contained one element of the garden which can be rated in semantic differential
scale fromweak to strong by 120 respondents. Lantern, gate, trees, stone and water basin were
rated as strong element whilst fence, pond, waterfall, stone path and bridge were rated as weak
elements. Five strong elements were grouped into one garden composition as well as the weak
ones. The garden composition picture was presented to 200 respondents in two separate
groups. Each group consists of 100 respondents with one stimulus picture only. A t-test was
used to analyze the mean difference of two groups. The result shows a significant difference in
respondent's ability to recognize Japanese garden identity between group with strong garden
elements and with the weak ones.
keyword : Japanese garden, garden elements, Identity