The Japanese aesthetic consciousness is deeply rooted in their cultural heritage and is reflected in the art of the dry landscape garden, or 'kare-sansui'. This style of gardening emphasizes simplicity, naturalness, and the beauty of emptiness. It often includes carefully arranged rocks, raked pebbles, and strategically placed trees or shrubs to convey a sense of tranquil and minimalist beauty. The principles of kare-sansui gardening include yūgen (mystery or subtlety), shakkei (borrowed scenery), and ma (negative space or void), which are all important aspects of Japanese aesthetics.