Japanese water gardens have been in existence for many hundreds of years having first begun to evolve around the time of the Heian period, late in the 8th century AD.

This early evolution of the water garden was heavily influenced by Buddhism, the gardens were considered to be a representation of paradise on earth. The later influence of Zen Buddhism caused a further evolution of the concept but with a focus on simplicity, the volumes of water used in the gardens reduced significantly. The Zen influence saw the gardens become replicas of nature with trees, mountains, and even ranges of mountains being represented by rocks within the garden.

Later years saw further evolutions in the garden designs but these have been more subtle shifts with the underlying themes of peace and tranquillity being ever present. Despite the representation of nature being a major theme of the garden, this exhibits itself more in the form of an ornamental representation rather than a loosely managed wildlife garden. The overriding feel is of orderliness and cleanliness with clear sharp lines and areas. The traditional Koi pond is a typical representation of this; the vibrantly marked fish effortlessly gliding through crystal clear waters.

A final element to the water garden is the employment of flowing water. The use of bamboo to create moving water features will complement the garden perfectly along with flowing streams and waterfalls.