Sharawadgi: The Romantic Return to Nature

Sharawadgi traces the history of English landscape design to the decentralized gardens of Japan. The author covers the romantic period during the eighteenth century, and the key personalities of William Temple, Joseph Addison and Alexander Pope. Murray explores the psychological subtleties of these men as well as the interchange between East and West. A fascinating read for students of Asia or English romanticism.

Table of Contents:
Chapter 1 Preface Chapter 2 Introduction Chapter 3 Part One: The Tree of Life-Origins of Romanticism Chapter 4 The Case of the Fastidious Envoy Chapter 5 The Fireworks Night of Joseph Addison Chapter 6 Fair Thames and Double Scenes Chapter 7 Part Two: The Tree of Knowledge-Implications of Romanticism Chapter 8 The Singular Demon of Doctor Bentley Chapter 9 The Spacious Firmament on High Chapter 10 Il Riposo di Claudio Chapter 11 Part Three: Imperial Paradise: Ramifications of Romanticism Chapter 12 The Garden Invades the House Chapter 13 The Eternal Moment Chapter 14 A Vista to the Gallows Chapter 15 Conclusion Chapter 16 Notes Chapter 17 Sources Chapter 18 Index

About the Author :
Ciaran Murray is a faculty member at Chuo University in Japan.

Review :
'Sharawadgi' should be read by serious students not only of garden history, but also of eighteenth-century culture in general. . . . until the end of last year . . . the Eastern origins of the landscape garden were steeped in confusion . . . [Sharawadgi] demonstrates the possibilities of research into 'cultural space' at a new investigative level. . . . What distinguishes it from the majority of fashionable inter-disciplinary studies, however, is its deployment of the biographical concreteness of the historian, providing new insights into the spiritual lives of the many famous personalities connected with the development of the English landscape garden. . . . Murray shows the link between the history of gardens and political history . . . with the notion of the personal freedom of individuals . . . and the absence of order in the shape of the personal world structured by them. . . unusual and beautiful . . . rigorous, brilliant, vivid. . . . until the end of last year . . . the Eastern origins of the landscape garden were steeped in confusion . . . [Sharawadgi] demonstrates the possibilities of research into 'cultural space' at a new investigative level. . . . What distinguishes it from the majority of fashionable inter-disciplinary studies, however, is its deployment of the biographical concreteness of the historian, providing new insights into the spiritual lives of the many famous personalities connected with the development of the English landscape garden. . . . Murray shows the link between the history of gardens and political history . . . with the notion of the personal freedom of individuals . . . and the absence of order in the shape of the personal world structured by them . . . unusual and beautiful . . . rigorous, brilliant, vivid. 'Sharawadgi' should be read by serious students not only of garden history, but also of eighteenth-century culture in general.