In closing, an observation may be made of some of the salient features of the gardens of Nippon made according to their traditional ideals, which is too deep-rooted to wither away even under the glare of Western influence. Whatever its origin, the garden already constituted a part of our national life in the eighth century A. D., revealing to a certain extent our own taste and characteristics. In its long history, the actual making and the ideals governing it have changed from time to time, having been influenced by the prevailing thoughts of each period. At one time it was customary for eminent Zen priests to design gardens to suit their own teachings, leaving a lasting impression upon them. There were other times when painters became deeply interested in garden-making, creating them as if they were painting landscapes on silk, leaving certain influences to be felt to this day.
