In many parts of the world, moss is something people try to get rid of.

In Japan, it's often something to protect.

Visit an old temple garden after rain and you'll find carpets of soft green moss covering stones, tree roots and the forest floor. Rather than competing for attention, it quietly ties the whole landscape together.

Part of its appeal is what it represents.

Moss grows slowly. It takes years to establish itself, and flourishes in places that are cool, damp and undisturbed. For many people, it has come to symbolise age, patience and the gentle passage of time.

It's also a reminder that beauty doesn't always need bright colours. A garden can be almost entirely green and still feel rich with texture and life.

Perhaps that's why moss appears so often in Japanese gardens. It encourages us to slow down, look more closely, and appreciate things that might otherwise go unnoticed.

See beauty in the small details.

The Yū Journal explores the ideas, traditions and design principles that inspire Japanese bathing.

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