How do tsuki-yama gardens use artificial hills and ponds?

In the context of Japanese garden design, tsuki-yama (meaning "artificial hills") is a style that utilizes earth, water, and stone to create a miniature, symbolic landscape.12

The use of artificial hills and ponds in these gardens serves several key purposes:

• Symbolic Representation: These features are designed to reproduce the spirit of a chosen landscape rather than its exact physical dimensions. For example, a small heap of earth might represent a mountain, such as Mount Fuji, while a small pond may symbolize an arm of the sea.2
• Construction Technique: Hills are typically built up using earth excavated from the basin created for the lake or pond.1
• Landscape Integration: Hill gardens generally include a stream and a pond of real water. Historically, these were often arranged so that a secondary stream would descend from the hill in a cascade into the pond.12
• Aesthetic and Spiritual Intent: The design aims to bring humanity close to nature, providing a secluded retreat for reflection. By scaling down vast landscapes, designers create an illusion of space that extends beyond the garden's immediate confines.1