Concept and Technique of Rockery in Chinese Garden Book (Part 1): Concept and Technique of Rockery in Yuanye

Abstract

Yuan Ye, written in 1631 and published in 1634, is the only recognized historic book about making garden in China. The author Ji Cheng, put forward an important opinion in Yuan Ye, that although garden are artificial products, they should appear like natural existence created by heaven. This paper briefly introduces the composition and contents of Yuan Ye. And then collates the contents related to rockery, translate, and explains the parts that are difficult to understand. Finally, according to the content of the translation and explanation, the concepts and techniques involved in rockery construction are refined to form conclusion.