At The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Julie Moir Messervy Design Studio worked in collaboration with Japanese garden master Kinsaku Nakane to create Tenshin-en, “The Garden of the Heart of Heaven,” an award-winning Japanese garden. This quarter-acre karesansui (dry landscape) garden features a massive cypress gateway, two hundred and fifty stones, bridges, islands, and plantings around a raked gravel “sea.” Traditional Japanese stone lanterns, a pagoda, and a water basin are focal elements, viewed from the three cypress benches that sit on a stone terrace.

A stone lantern marks the entrance to the Garden.

A granite marker is nestled in among garden plants. It features the name of the Garden, "Ten-shin-en", and was a gift from the Garden's donor.

Seating opportunities were designed to be oriented towards carefully curated garden views.

Seating opportunities were designed to be oriented towards carefully curated garden views.

A seven-tiered pagoda, or ishido, from the Museum collection points to the sky.

In a Japanese garden, rocks often symbolize mountains and gardens, metaphors for that country's particular geographic character.

Specimen boulders act as islands in a sea of raking gravel.

Haircap moss (Polytrichum commune) is a New England hardy groundcover whose form and function resemble its Japanese counterpart, Sugigoke.

Soft lighting throughout the garden highlights focal points, fostering a different landscape experience in the evening time.

Inspired by traditional Japanese tatami mats, seating benches are carefully positioned to take in curated views of the garden.

Three arched granite bridges link planted islands to Tenshin-en's "mainland", across a sea of raking gravel.

The nanako-gaki, or "twill weave" fence is the simplest form of bamboo enclosure; a subtle barrier to keep garden visitors on the main walking path.

The main entrance to the garden is highlighted by stately stone lanterns.

A heavy, 8-tine rake is used to create the effect of ripples on the crushed granite sea.

Areas of stone plank pavers provide places to pause in the garden that fluidly transition back into the main walking path.

A heavy, 8-tine rake is used to create the effect of ripples on the crushed granite sea.

A path of dark riverstone pebble is accented by geometric stone pavers, creating a visually rich pathway through the garden.

This Choson period Korean lantern was originally located in the Museum's courtyard. The roof and base are of different origins.

Stone plank pavers disintegrate into the gravel sea.

Three arched granite bridges link planted islands to Tenshin-en's "mainland", across a sea of raking gravel.

Tall canopy trees close out the surrounding city, focusing the garden visitor on the journey at hand.

Aged stone lanterns guide Garden visitors through the landscape.

An intricately designed pebble and stepping stone path winds through the garden.

This kabukemon, or "hanging gate", was constructed in Japan, disassembled, and then flown to Boston to be reassembled by traditional carpenters.

A stepping stone path transitions from the raked gravel seascape into the woodland garden.

Stepping stones lead garden visitors down an alternative, meandering woodland path.

Walking paths wind through pockets of garden and raking gravel, periodically transitioning into gathering nodes.

Photography

Susan Teare (2016-present)
Department of Photographic Services, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (pre-2016)

Collaborators

Japanese Landscape Consultant: Kinsaku Nakane

Featured In

Japanese Garden, Tenshin-en: The Garden of the Heart of Heaven,  Online Gallery, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
Tenshin-en: A Japanese Garden at Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts, Arnoldia article by Julie Moir Messervy.
Renovating Tenshin-en, The Garden of the Heart of Heaven, JMMDS Blog Post.
Tenshin-en, The Garden of the Heart of Heaven, Book by Julie Moir Messervy and Kinsaku Nakane.