Dry landscape gardens, also known as 'kare-sansui' in Japanese, are traditional Japanese gardens that emphasize the natural elements of rocks, sand, and sometimes moss. They are characterized by their simplicity and the use of natural materials to represent mountains, water, and other natural scenes. These gardens often have a meditative quality and are designed to be viewed from a seated position, typically in a teahouse or meditation room. The layout and composition of a dry landscape garden can be highly artistic and symbolic, with each element chosen for its representation of larger natural phenomena and the principles of Zen Buddhism.