Niwa - Purposeful Living

Hiromi Shimamura, Michael Prairie, and Wayne Carlson

There are definitive and enduring principles that have been the foundation of Japanese culture for nearly two-thousand years. These principles have significantly influenced virtually every cultural expression, including art, architecture, theater, and design. More than any other form of expression, these principles have governed the design and evolution of Japanese gardens. Niwa – Purposeful Living, is an up-and-coming book that examines these principles, and relates them to prominent Japanese gardens along the west coast. One of the gardens featured in the book, Niwa Wabi Sabi, is located at the residence of Michael Prairie, the principal of Prairie Law Group. The following article, written by Michael and his wife, Hiromi Shimamura, offers a vivid and detailed description of the house, and the philosophy that has guided its creation.

▸ read article