How did small ponds and earth mounds represent seas and mountains in Japanese gardens?

In Japanese gardens, small ponds and earth mounds serve as symbolic representations of larger natural landscapes rather than literal replicas. Because these gardens are often designed on a small scale, the intention is to capture the spirit and essence of a chosen scene through association and symbolism.1

• Earth Mounds: These are often constructed using soil excavated from the basin created for a lake or pond. In the tsuki-yama (artificial hill) style, these mounds are designed to evoke the presence of mountains, such as Mount Fuji, which is considered a mountain of ideal form.21
• Ponds: A small pond, sometimes covering only a fraction of an acre, is used to represent an arm of the sea or a vast lake. In some instances, designers even use gravel or sand to symbolize water or suggest a dried-up landscape, a technique known as kare-sansui.12

By scaling down these features, designers create a microcosm that allows the viewer to experience a sense of vastness and natural beauty within a secluded, meditative space.21