Posted in nature, travel and places, gardens, temples, kyoto on Apr 23rd, 2007 1 Comment »
Although now most flowers are gone, last weekend (April 14-15) there were still some beautiful sakura left in Kyoto. After having seen the “Kansetsu sakura” of the Philosopher’s Path (planted by the wife of nihonga painter Hashimoto Kansetsu, in the memory of her husband) and the famous trees of Arashiyama (originally from the sacred groves […]
Posted in travel and places, gardens on Mar 26th, 2007 No Comments »
The best Japanese-style garden in Kobe is Sorakuen, established by a former mayor of the city, Mr Kodera. It is a typical stroll garden with a central pond, but characteristic and not wholly traditional are the huge sotetsu trees standing along the path that leads into the garden - sotetsu are tropical trees, in English […]
Posted in nature, gardens on Mar 8th, 2007 No Comments »
Last week the ume (often translated as plum blossoms, but in fact closer to the apricot) in the park of Osaka castle were in full bloom.
Before the sakura (cherry blossoms) became popular, in medieval times, the ume ruled supreme on the flowery firmament in Japan, as it did and still does in China. The ume […]
Posted in travel and places, gardens, temples, kyoto on Jan 7th, 2007 No Comments »
“Let us sit down quietly and contemplate this garden of sand and stones,” starts the pamphlet handed out by Ryoanji. Unfortunately, nothing could be more difficult. This small temple with its exquisite stone garden, is daily overrun by hordes of tourists. Whole schools, cohorts of kids in sailor’s uniforms, march over the poor wooden floors. […]
Posted in culture, gardens, intercultural on Jan 6th, 2007 No Comments »
[Flowering kale. Photo Ad Blankestijn]
When I first saw this type of planting, many years ago in China, I thought somebody had tried to be funny by stuffing a pot full of cabbages. Yes, it looks ornamental, but my first reaction is to put my teeth in those leaves, rather then feasting on them with my […]
Posted in writing and poetry, history, religion and philosophy, gardens, temples, kyoto on Dec 6th, 2006 No Comments »
One of Kyoto’s most magic places stands in the northwestern part of the city, hidden behind an unobtrusive gateway.
Fifty years ago still countryside, now this has squarely become part of the city. But Shisendo, the Hall of the Poetry Immortals, is in itself contained, a form shut off from its surroundings by tall trees, in […]
Posted in writing and poetry, nature, gardens on Oct 28th, 2006 No Comments »
Seen from the city, Higashi-Mukojima, the site of the Hyakkaen Garden, lies on the opposite bank of the Sumida River, something which is also expressed in the name ‘Mukojima,’ which means ‘Yonder Isle,’ or ‘Island on the Other Side of the Sumida.’ The garden was laid out on fertile land along the river’s bank. It […]
Posted in nature, travel and places, gardens on Oct 17th, 2006 No Comments »
What is a nicer place for a quiet, meditative stroll than a graveyard? Reading the stones, thinking about the transcience of life… In Tokyo, there is an added incentive: some cemeteries have beautiful old trees, while others are graced by cherry trees that create a pink riot in spring. In other words, Tokyo’s graveyards are […]
Posted in travel and places, gardens, temples, kyoto on Oct 8th, 2006 No Comments »
The Temple of the Golden Pavilion, or Kinkakuji,at the foot of the hills that form Kyoto’s northern periphery, is Japan’s most famous piece of architecture. The gold that covers the two upper stories, also on the outside, is responsible for its popular appeal. Kinkakuji lies squarely on the tourist trail, and is an exotic natural […]
Posted in nature, gardens, temples, kyoto on Aug 22nd, 2006 No Comments »
Daichiji is one of those great Shiga prefecture temples, that lie far from the beaten track and offer their own private universe. The difficulty of getting there is fully rewarded by the experience. On a hot summer day, cicadas shrilling around us, we visit the Horai or Paradise Garden of Daichiji to see the ship […]
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