|
A garden design has always been an important part of Japanese
culture. It reflects philosophical and aesthetic understanding
of the Nature as a harmonious universe. It drastically differs
from the European park, which demonstrates the triumph of
a man over the nature, treated as a disorganized chaotic world.
In the Japanese garden the creator just brings to light and
emphasizes the beauty and spirituality of the Nature. Each
element of the garden composition, even the most unnoticeable
one, is very important as a part of the Universe, conveying
sacred meaning. The man in Japanese culture is a part of Nature;
he is not above it, but inside of it. This determines the
special relations between a man and the Nature: the man doesn't
try to conquer it but strive to live in harmony with the nature.
Japanese garden differs according to the function it serves.
The small gardens are supposed for contemplation and meditation,
the large landscape gardens (or parks otherwise) are places
to walk where the man can merge with the Nature. There are
also hill gardens (Tsukiyama) and flat gardens (Hiraniva).
Among the latest the most popular are dry gardens or stone
gardens (Karesansui), where the natural landscape is reproduced
in a more abstract way by using stones, gravel, sand and sometimes
moss for representing mountains, islands, seas and rivers.
The use of a symbol instead of a picture marked the transition
from the landscape garden to philosophical one, discovering
the very essence of the Nature.
During centuries Japanese garden design underwent certain
changes. But the one thing stayed invariable - the compulsory
use of such elements as water and stone. Water is a symbol
of the dark female origin (Yin) and stone - of the light male
origin (Yang). Their eternal confrontation and indissoluble
unity are the basis of Universe.
In Tokyo, there is an oasis of harmony and beauty, hidden
among the skyscrapers and rattling stream of transport. It
is the Rukigien Park.
The construction of the private garden of the feudal lord
Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu was started in 1695 and in 1702 it was
completed. This garden is a typical "kai-yu" ("walk-around")
style garden. The name, Rikugien, was taken from the six principles
of composing waka, Japanese poetry. In 1923, the park was
donated by Yataro Iwasaki to Tokyo Metropolitan and since
1938 it has been open to the public. Rikugien Park is one
of the best-preserved Japanese landscape garden of the Edo
period. It has even survived Kanto big earthquake and bombing
attacks during World War II without any serious damages. In
1953, the Japanese government designated Rikugien Garden as
a special site of great historic value.
The park occupies the territory of 87,800 square meters, where
over 6,000 trees, both evergreen and deciduous, grow. Here
you'll find traditional pines and Japanese maples and pines
as well as dignified camellias and magnolias. The plants were
chosen in such a way that in any season the park offers a
splendid sight. If you come to the park in spring you'll admire
the blooming azaleas and cherry trees.
Rikugien Park has everything a traditional Japanese garden
is supposed to: a large central pond, teeming with golden
carps and sluggish turtles, fantastical islands, crooked rustic
bridges over gurgling streams, man made hills, symbolizing
the sacred Japanese mountains, and moss-encrusted stone lanterns.
Along the path that goes round the pond, 88 landscapes from
famous Japanese poems are reproduced in miniature.
Hidden among the majestic trees there are three traditional
wooden teahouses. There visitors are offered light snacks,
Japanese sweets and tea, made according to the rules of ceremony,
that is several thousands years old.
|
|
