The study of Sakuteiki (Treatise on Garden Making) and other materials shows that the typical style was generally for high-ranked aristocrats higher than the sani rank, and each site is one cho (120 m) square, based on Jobohocho-sei of Heiankyo (town demarcation plan of the then Capital Kyoto in the tenth century) surrounded by Tsukiji (mud walls), usually having gates other than on the south.
作庭記などによるこれまでの研究成果によって典型的な形態は一般的に三位以上の上流貴族の邸宅にみられ、敷地は平安京の条坊保町の制により方一町を標準に、敷地の周りに築地がめぐらされ、通常は南以外に門がある。