Astral Health

Raked sand, particularly white raked sand (shirakawasuna) is a component of authentic Japanese gardens. Raking sand dates back to the Shinto religion when sand was sprinkle on the ground after it was cleared of trees and bushes to appease earth spirits. This is why historical Shinto shrines are often surrounded by a simple rectangle of white sand appears among the architectural structures.

 
The raking of sand is also a tradition ssociated with the divine ancestry of the Imperial family. In Japan, vast expanses of white sand are located in front of important palace buildings such as the Imperial Palace in Kyoto.

 
Aside from its sacred or royal association, sand was also used to simulate rivers or the sea with the marks in the sand representing waves and currents.

 
Sand is an essential component of a dry landscape garden. HoweverIt can also be used to enhance any Japanese garden style. Miniature dry gardens are not uncommon in large wet traditional Japanese gardens and are revered as much as a piece of fine art.

 
Peace Be Still  Sam

Many people make the mistake of referring to just any old bridge in a Japanese garden as a moon bridge. The Moon Bridge is actually very special and has a unique aesthetic intention. The purposeof these highly arched curved bridges is to create a reflection in the water that looks like another half circle. The half circle created by the bridge as well as its reflection creates a moon shape that is best viewed from a distance. 

 
The fact that this kind of reflection needs a large body of water to create the proper illusion is why most moon bridges are seen in rather large public parks and gardens rather than someone’s back yard. However it is perfectly acceptable to create a miniature moon bridge across a small pond to symbolize the moon.