Highlight of today was a visit to Korakuen Garden in Okayama, one of Japan's famous three gardens. Commissioned by Lord Ikeda the gardens were completed in 1700. Though a classic stroll garden it was the first in Japan to use large expanses of lawn. It is divided into three sections and features, bamboo, pine, plum and cherry trees along with tea bushes. Also included are streams and a pond crossed by an elegant red bridge. The nearby castle is incorporated as "borrowed scenery" a classic devise in Japanese gardens, adopted later by many famous European gardeners. Okayama Castle is nicknamed the "Crow's Castle" due to its black walls. Destroyed in WWII the exterior of the c16th was faithfully reconstructed in 1966. Alan Ashton 20th October 2012 (still Lost in Translation)
No comments:
Post a Comment