Unlocking the Secrets of Kenrokuen Garden: Blog Tours by Local Guide in Kanazawa, Japan. Ready to Crack a Smile? If so,Visit Us!

0. Welcome to a virtual (imaginary) tour guided by a local

Since this is a fairly long tour, it is strongly recommended that you join only one part of the tour only when you want a change of pace. I hope you don’t let this be a long and wrong tour❤

This blog delves into Kenrokuen-Garden in samurai city of Kanazawa, preserving the essence of the Edo period. Unlike official sites that provide detailed and sophisticated introductory information, this blog takes on the form of a virtual (imaginary) tour guided by a local. It addresses common questions that arise during a visit to Kenrokuen-Garden, presenting each exhibit in a straightforward and engaging manner, making it easy to understand and interesting.
👉Note: If you’re seeking a detailed and sophisticated explanation, please refer to the official website or the websites of travel agencies.

For foreign visitors, business guests, and students exploring Japan, I extend an invitation to experience these stories firsthand. Come and witness the allure of Kenrokuen-Garden in person! I will be waiting for you!

1. Quick Overview! ”What’s Kenroku-en?”

”What’s Kenroku-en?”

2.1　Basic Information

Let me start with a brief explanation of Kenrokuen-Garden before you enter.

1. Kenroku-en garden has six requirements (,beauty) that make it an ideal garden.
2. They are mutually conflicting and difficult to strike a good balance.
3. As the private garden of the lords, Maeda family, it was designed with the desire for family prosperity and longevity.
4. Understanding the design philosophy of each spot is essential to enjoying this garden.

2.2　Visitors’ perspective(What do you think at first glance?)

👉For many foreign tourists (especially first-time visitors to Japan) like you, Japanese gardens might be just like “Kin-ta-ro candy”(meaning “No difference at all everywhere” in Japan) , with same kinds of ponds, trees, and beautiful flowers. Without knowing the lords’ wish in the background, many visitors could end up just feeling tired from just walking around in this wide garden. Here are things that we honestly feel they often wonder about.

1. What is the purpose of this garden in the first place?
2. What is its name?
3. What does it signify or represent?
4. Why was it built here?
5. How long has it been here?
6. Who designed and constructed it?
7. How was it traditionally used?
8. What distinguishes it from other gardens?

2.3 Quick responses while virtual walking

Here are some prompt responses to the perspectives mentioned above, as we virtually navigate through the bustling crowds of the garden.

1. This is a private garden created by the lord of Kanazawa Castle, wishing for the prosperity of their family.
2. It is pronounced “Ken, Roku, En” . (Which may sound like “can, rock, yen”) .
3. It represents the garden having six beauties.
4. It was located on the same hill as Kanazawa Castle and was privately owned.
5. This was over 300 years ago, around the time when Newton was middle-aged.
6. The Maeda family, one of the wealthiest landowners in the country at that time.
7. Many facilities including ponds, waterfalls, and tea rooms were created to enjoy with their family and guests.
8. It is often praised for having a larger volume of beauty than other gardens.

2.4　Supplementary Explanation by adding Japanese perspective

Here are supplementary explanations by adding Japanese perspective, which might help you understand deeply the garden’s background.

1. Japanese people have always loved strolling around gardens.
2. While enjoying seasonal flowers, we engage in conversation.
3. That’s why Japan has so many stroll-style gardens.
4. Kenroku-en became one of Japan’s three great gardens as a typical example.
5. Japanese people love the easy-to-understand expression of “Japan’s three great.”
6. We, vulnerable to peer pressure, tend to avoid saying “one and only “.
7. Japanese gardens, including Kenroku-en , have been influenced by ancient China.
8. However, we create unique things not found in China due to Japanese preferences.
9. We have tendency to enjoy compressing nature into a compact form like this.
10. This garden is a fruit of great efforts trying to realize the ideal garden of ancient China compactly.

2.5　Ready to Crack a Smile? Short Stories for You!

Here are short stories addressing common questions from foreign visitors like you who are interested in learning about Japanese culture and local people. I hope you enjoy some of them!

a) “What is this garden, Kenroku-en, in front of us?”

1. This was the private garden of the lords of Kanazawa Castle, entertaining visitors as well.。
2. The lords created this garden with the hope of their family’s prosperity and eternal life.
3. You can discern their wishes from each spot.
4. But just by looking at them alone, you won’t understand anything like the Da Vinci Code.
5.  That’s why our guides are here to explain the code to you. 
6. But don’t worry, unlike the Da Vinci Code, no one has died, and there is no danger to you.

b) ”Why did this garden came to be called Kenroku-en?”

1. The name Kenrokuen means “Ideal garden of having six beauties” .
2. Since ancient times in China, six essential features have been required for a perfect garden.
3. It is said that an ideal garden is vast but delicate, artificial but natural, and beautiful both near and far.
4. Actually it was almost impossible, but the castle lords tried to create a perfect garden.
5. Each condition contradicts the others, making it difficult to satisfy them.
6. “On the official website, these six conditions are expressed in difficult terms: ‘spaciousness’, ‘seclusion’, ‘artifice’, ‘antiquity’, ‘water features’, and ‘panoramas’.
7. These are not words that Japanese people use in their daily lives, so it may be difficult for them to understand just by hearing them.
8. If we were able to make foreign visitors understand it, would it be fair to say that we could achieve an even more challenging task of fulfilling seven conditions?

c)　”What makes Kenrokuen Garden different from other Japanese gardens?”

1. Kenrokuen Garden is one of the ‘Three Great Gardens in Japan’.
2. Many people highly evaluate this gardens as having a high degree of completion as a Japanese garden.
3. Completion here refers to beautiful scenery like a painting created by humans.
4. The garden designers tried to draw various beautiful pictures based on the lords’ intention.
5. Here, you can see various garden techniques that created that beauty.
6. Other gardens are equally beautiful, but there is one big difference.
7. Other gardens have names with good sound and easy-to-use words.
8. So, the same names are often used for baseball fields, Chinese restaurants, yakiniku restaurants(Japanese barbecue), ramen shops, and so on.
9. However, the name of Kenrok-uen is not often used.
10. Probably, no one has the confidence to offer complete entertainment or cuisine that meets all six criteria.

３．”Kotoji-toro / Kotoji Stone Lantern”

From this section, I will introduce you to each spot of the garden that attracts many tourists, taking into consideration the interests of foreign visitors, which often differ from those of domestic tourists. Firstly, let me start with a most famous spot,’ the Kotoji Stone Lantern’, an icon of Kanazawa city, not just this garden, like Mt. Fuji, a symbol of Japan.

3.1　Basic Information

👉Let me provide you with a brief summary of the lantern before entering the detail.

1. As a symbol of Kenrokuen Garden, it is a well-known photography spot in Japan.
2. Originally, it was a stone lantern, called yukimi toro, used to illuminate the surface of a pond.
3. Its shape resembles a “koto-ji,” which is a stand for supporting the strings of a Japanese stringed instrument called a “koto.”
4. Many people see it as a depiction of a koto performance during celebratory events such as the New Year.
5. The lantern is positioned by a bridge, which represents the body of the koto, and the lantern’s legs symbolize the stands that support the koto’s strings.
6. There are various theories as to why the legs of the lantern have different lengths.

3.2 Visitors’ perspective(What do you think at first glance?)

　Like ‘Kanazawa Castle’s Ishikawa Gate’, this lantern is a symbol of Kenroku-en, but many first-time visitors to Japan may not know what’s so special about it. I often hear some people say that they were disappointed by how small it was when they actually saw it, similar to the experience with the Danish Little Mermaid. The episode of ‘resembling Koto’, a Japanese classic, is not included here.

1. Why are there so many sightseers here?
2. Why is this place a popular spot for taking photos?
3. What makes this place so special?
4. What is this stone tower?
5. Why was it built?
6. What is the name of this stone tower?
7. When was it built?
8. How is it different from other stone towers?

3.3 Quick responses while virtual walking

1. It’s famous because it has been used for long time as a symbol of Kanazawa tourism promotion.
2. Just like the Little Mermaid in Denmark, it’s a must-see spot for anyone visiting Kanazawa.
3. Some say it’s because of the beautiful scenery like a typical Japanese landscape painting.
4. It’s an old Japanese lighting device called a stone lantern that uses candles.
5. It was built to illuminate the surface of the pond next to it.
6. It dates back to about 200 years ago, around the time when Napoleon died.
7. While most stone lanterns have three or four legs, this looks sleek with two legs.

3.4　Supplementary Explanation by adding Japanese perspective

Here, the classic “Koto instrument” analogy is described as Japanese tendency.

1. Japanese people like pictures of simple compositions, like often depicted in postcards.
2. The image of Mount Fuji alone has countless variations in style since ancient times.
3. The scenery of this stone lantern is a typical style that Japanese people love just as much as Mount Fuji.
4. Over the years, many Japanese people have visited here and added various stories.
5. The story of the stone lantern and bridge in front resembling a koto and its pillar is one of classic cases.
6. Japanese people have rich imaginations, such as imagining a simple stone as a pet.
7. We like to associate “luck” or “auspicious things” with anything like this lantern.
8. This analogy of the lantern and bridge accurately conveys the Japanese temperament.

3.5　Ready to Crack a Smile? Short Stories for You!

a) “What is this lantern?” / “What is special about it?”

If you’re wondering about this lantern and what makes it special, you might find the explanation on the official website helpful. However, even Japanese people sometimes can’t fully appreciate it just by hearing the explanation. That’s why I’ve added a second half to the story. 👉Please note that the tones of the first five samples and the second five samples are different here as well.

1. This is not just an ordinary ornament, stone lantern.
2. Here, an auspicious scene is being expressed wishing happiness.
3. The bridge in front resembles a koto, and the stone lantern is a stand that supports the strings of the koto.
4. It is said that despite a typical stone lantern having three or four legs, this lantern has only two legs in order to look like a stand for strings.
5. While having only two legs makes it unstable, this instability may actually evoke empathy from people.
6.  Yes, humans eventually become three-legged with a cane as they age.
7. So, this lantern seems like a person before reaching old age.
8. However, this lantern has been standing here for over two centuries, so it is already quite elderly.

b) “Why is everyone lined up like this?”

👉This is a common question from guests when they see the long line at this popular spot. Enjoy this two-part explanation: the first half (Nos. 1-6) provides a serious take, while the second half (Nos. ７-14) offers a more lighthearted, humorous perspective.

1. This is a famous spot where many people take pictures as a memory and proof of their visit to Kanazawa.
2. It is similar to the Little Mermaid statue in Denmark, the Merlion in Singapore, or Big Ben in England.
3. Japanese people have always appreciated the simplicity of landscapes, and the stone lanterns and pond in the background perfectly match their aesthetic preferences.
4. Over the years, through its frequent appearances in photographs, on TV, and in magazines, this view has become an iconic symbol of Kanazawa.
5. Many visitors now wait in line to walk on the stone bridge and have their photo taken from this spot.
6. If you think it’s worth it, why not join the line? It will be a memory that lasts a lifetime.
7. Many tourists line up for this experience, while some choose to move on to the next spot.
8. For instance, those who aren’t interested in trends, prefer to avoid crowds, or don’t like having their picture taken usually pass by without waiting.
9. There are many different types of people, and after years of guiding visitors to this popular spot, I’ve noticed that their personalities often come through here.
10. Recently, I even discovered a new type of personality—because I found myself fitting into that category.
11. I sometimes wonder if the stone bridge has accumulated structural fatigue from the countless people who have crossed or lingered on it over the years.
12. There is a type of person who constantly worries that the bridge might collapse one day, just by chance.
13. This cautious type will never cross it, no matter how much I recommend it.
14. It’s like the saying: ‘knocking on a stone bridge before crossing it—and then never crossing it at all!’

４．”Panoramic View Point / Panoramic Lookout”

4.1　Basic Information

👉As before, let me provide you with a brief summary of the Panoramic View Point before telling my view point on this view pointl! (There is no end to this, so I should stop here!)

1. This spot offers the ‘panoramic view,’ one of the six beauties of Kenroku-en Garden.
2. This is the only precious spot in the garden where visitors can admire the outside scenery.
3. Kenroku-en Garden, originally designed exclusively for lords, was crafted to conceal its beauty from the general public.
4. Only the lords and their guests were allowed to enjoy the scenery from here.
5. On a fine day with good visibility, the Sea of Japan and the dunes can be seen on the left.
6. During the cherry blossom season in spring, you can look down on the cherry trees in full bloom below.
7. The mountain in front is in the northeast direction from here, yet the name is meant to be a southeast mountain, which is a bit of a mystery!
8. It is a low hill-like mountain, but in the past, public climbing was forbidden.
9. The main reason was for military and security purposes, as the summit overlooked the entire city.

4.1 Visitors’ perspective(What do you think at first glance?)

If visitors are Japanese, it would be nice to talk about the name of the mountain while looking at it without many words, but it might be difficult for most foreigners visiting Japan to be moved by the scenery alone especially when having no seasonal flowers, because the height is not good enough. So, I also try to interest you with different aroma, not depending on flower aroma .

4.2 Ready to Crack a Smile? Short Stories for You!

It’s a good place to introduce one specific example of the six beauties, “Panoramic View Point”, right after entering, but what if unfortunately the weather and visibility are bad and far away? Below I assumed a case where (the Sea of ​​Japan and sand dunes) cannot be seen.👉 Here too, the voice samples have different speakers in the first half (No. 1 to 5) and
the second half (No. 6 to 8) with different tones.

1. One of the six beauties, “Panoramic View,” can be experienced here.
2. If the weather and visibility had been fine, we could have seen the Sea of Japan on the left.
3. The mountain in front of us used to be off-limits to commoners for climbing because it overlooked the city.
4. Only government officials for city surveillance were allowed to climb to the summit.
5. As Kenroku-en is located on the hill, an observation deck was limited to this spot where you can see the city below.
6. In other words, only special invited guests were allowed to stand here in the past.
7. But now, the number of these special invited guests amounts to several million annually.
8. It may be pitiable for Kanazawa citizens to be monitored by such a large number of people every day！

５．”Kasumiga-ike(Kasumi Pond)”

Basically, a Japanese garden always has a pond, and this is the largest pond in the garden.

5.1　Basic Information

Here is a short summary of the pond including some hidden intention.

1. In general, Japanese gardens always have a large pond, and this pond is almost located　in the center of Kenroku-en garden like the heart of the garden.
2. There are various devices placed around the pond for visitors to enjoy while walking around.
3. In many Japanese gardens, a gardening technique known as the ‘reduced landscape’ is often employed, where small-scale replicas of famous scenic spots of Japan are incorporated into the garden design.
4. For example, this pond has been modeled after Japan’s largest lake, Lake Biwa.
5. The lake, together with the adjacent Kyoto, has been the center of politics and culture and an object of admiration since ancient times.
6. The small island visible in the pond is a replica of an island in the same lake that is famous for its legend of immortality.
7. The shape of the islet represents the shell of a turtle, a symbol of longevity, with a stone resembling a turtle’s head placed at its edge.
8. The pond was named ‘Hazy Pond,’ reflecting the idea of its vastness, with the desire to evoke the image of the opposite shore being obscured by haze and thus invisible.
9. This pond had a special military function that enhances the defenses of Kanazawa Castle, a residence of the garden’s owner, in the event of an emergency.
10. The water in this pond was designed to drain from the bottom of the pond and flow into the moat between the garden and Kanazawa Castle, raising the water level of the moat.

5.2 Visitors’ perspective(What do you think at first glance?)

👉For most Japanese people, it is a familiar and happy scenery following the koto pillar stone lantern, but for many foreign visitors who see this for the first time, it might be just a common Japanese garden pond, so if we don’t say anything, you would say only “it’s beautiful and spacious”, and no impression might remain. I hope you find something intriging below.

5.2 Ready to Crack a Smile? Short Stories for You!

a) “How big is the pond in Kenroku-en?”

1. This pond extends to that house,a tea room, visible in the distance.
2. But, The name of the pond, “Kasumi,” meaning haze, also implies that it is so vast that you cannot see the opposite bank.
3. Would “hazy pond” be an appropriate translation in English?
4.  Therefore, ultimately, the size of the pond is  “hazy.” so unclear.
5. Actually, the size of this pond is a little smaller than a soccer field, but whether it feels bigger or smaller varies from person to person.
6. Especially when compared to its soccer field, for soccer enthusiasts, the pond seems to be less and less spacious.
7. In soccer, when the opponent is so strong that you cannot get close to the opponent’s goal at all, people often use the expression that the opponent’s goal is too far away and ‘hazy’ to be seen clearly.

b) “What are the main must-see features around the pond?”

👉It’s a standard guide topic using resemblance of a turtle. But, for most tourists, it might sound dull, so I added some turtle feeling.

1. Many things are created with wishes for longevity and prosperity.
2. For example, the island in the pond is made to resemble a turtle.
3. The turtle is a symbol of longevity in Japan, having been believed to live for ten thousand years.
4. Does that island look like a turtle? Does it look like fun?
5. I personally couldn’t bear to just sit still like that for 10,000 years.

ｃ) “What makes this pond interesting? / What makes it special?”

👉This is a small story intended for the curious. It is one of the hidden intentions behind this garden.

1. This is the largest pond here and has a very deep water depth.
2. One reason was that it was necessary to store a large amount of water for defense.
3. For an emergency, there is a mechanism to drain the water from the bottom of the pond, and raise the water level of the outer moat.
4. Since Kenroku-en also served as a defense for Kanazawa Castle, there are other such mechanisms in the garden.
5. But, ｗe refrain from explaining all of our defense mechanisms, given the recent international situation.
6. That’s because we cannot predict when a visitor’s home country may become an enemy nation and attack Japan.

６．”Karasaki Pine Tree”

６.1　Basic Information

👉In this virtual (imaginary) guide, here too, there are no details of “Karasaki-matsu” itself, assuming most visitors who are unfamiliar with Japan.

1. This pine tree is not native to the area, but rather a renowned variety known as the black pine, imported from afar (Kansai).
2. The lords of the time acquired its seeds and cultivated it to enhance the beauty of this garden and delight their invited guests.
3. The old pine tree is nearly 200 years old since the days of the Last Samurai, but it stands out as the star among the many pine trees in the garden.
4. Every year, the work of stringing ropes (Yuki-tsuri) to protect the branches from the weight of snow starts from this pine tree.
5. On November 1, the day the work begins, this area around this tree will be crowded with professionals for the TV broadcast and onlookers with their smartphones.

6.2 Visitors’ perspective(What do you think at first glance?)

👉This pine tree with ropes hung to protect from snow is classic scenery for garden enthusiasts, but it is just one of the many pine trees for most foreign tourists whether in winter or not. It’s difficult to verbally convey the background of Lake Biwa’s Karasaki-matsu,
so here is a story to just tell that it’s a special pine tree with a long history.

6.3 Ready to Crack a Smile? Short Stories for You!

a) “Is there something special about this tree? Other trees’ branches are also hung like this.”

👉Again, the tone (speaker) changes between the first half (No. 1 to 6) and the second half (No. 7 to 9).

1. Certainly, this measure for snow can be seen in other Japanese gardens.
2. This is special black pine that the lord brought all the way from a distant pine forest famous for its scenic beauty.
3. The meandering branches, stretched out like petals of a large flower, are balanced and beautiful like a model, and are loved by many people.
4. Every year, the rope is put on this tree first, so many people come to take pictures.
5. Starting with this pine tree, around 800 trees in the garden will take this measure.
6. This work is performed by a total of about 500 workers over a period of about a month and a half, and the highly skilled gardening technique can be seen.
7. Do you know? Many of gardeners doing this rope work are local Kanazawa municipal workers.
8. I envy them. They are able to take care of pine trees instead of people.
9. That’s because that pine trees don’t complain.

b) ”Why do people take so much care of pine trees when they are so vital and strong?”

1. As you say, pine trees are vigorous trees that can grow on sandy beaches and rocks.
2. For this reason, it has been cherished since ancient times as a symbol of “patience,” a virtue of the Japanese people.
3. However, the pine’s unique tree shape and beautiful, artfully arranged evergreen leaf tips are the result of human collaboration.
4. Many people also mistakenly believe that the pine groves that stand on the sandy beaches of the coast are naturally this way.
5. The beautiful pine forest landscape of the coast as well as the gardens is the result of many centuries of labor by the Japanese.
6. If the pine tree is a symbol of patience, then the Japanese who spare no effort in taking care of it may be said to be patience itself.
7. Therefore, the pine trees in Kenrokuen, the fruit of many years of gardener’s skill and patience, are not just ‘pine trees’, but perhaps should be called ‘fine trees’.
8. But for those who feel they are forced to take care of pine trees as their job, it may be ‘a pain tree’ that requires a great deal of patience!

７． “Neagari-no-Matsu / Raised Roots Pine”

There are more than 400 pine trees in this garden, so it might be called a museum of pine trees. Walking through the pine tree forest, many foreign visitors may not notice anything unless it’s pointed out by the guide. Therefore, in this virtual tour, I will also make best efforts to make you stop and provide details.

7.1 　Basic Information

1. A black pine tree with exposed roots, approximately 15 meters tall.
2. Some people mistake it for naturally grown roots.
3. Growing a tree with its roots visible is a technique commonly seen in bonsai.
4. Despite its roots being exposed, it does not wither since it has around 40 roots.
5. Many people have touched its roots in admiration of its robustness.
6. However, it is now protected by a fence to prevent any further damage.
7. Although it may appear as an old tree, it is still a relatively young tree at around 200 years old, considering that a pine tree can live for nearly a millennium.

7.2 Visitors’ perspective(What do you think at first glance?)

👉Unlike Japanese tourists who have some knowledge about pine trees in advance, many foreign tourists who see it for the first time often might be confused not knowing enough about Japanese horticultural technology. Based on the perspective, I will make stories below.

7.3 Ready to Crack a Smile? Short Stories for You!

a) ”Is there anything special about this pine tree？”

This time, it is a pattern conveying that this pine tree did not grow like this naturally, but artificially made with a bonsai technique. 👉Again, the voices’ tone and speaker are different between the first half (No. 1-5) and the second half (No. 6-10).

1. This pine tree is very unusual in Japan showing more than 40 roots raised about 2m on the ground.
2. This pine tree has been intentionally grown with exposed roots.
3. This type of tree is often seen in bonsai.
4. Bonsai is a Japanese art form of growing and training miniature trees in containers.
5. There is also another technique of wrapping wire around trees to grow them into unique shapes　besides this way.
6. But it seems cruel to twist the natural growth of trees for human convenience.
7. This uprooted pine tree seems to have been forced to stand on its tiptoes for years suffering greatly.
8. In another perspective, this pine tree might be happy to stand out and look beautiful.
9. Humans are also willing to stand on their tiptoes in high heels for long time to look more beautiful!
10. So, that means high heels might be more pitiable than this pine tree

８．”Fountain”

8.1 Basic Information

👉Even though it is said to be the oldest in Japan, the West have a long history of fountains since ancient Rome, so it is described based on what is special.

1. It is said to be the oldest fountain in Japan.
2. It was reportedly built as a prototype before drawing water for Kanazawa Castle.
3. It uses the Kasumiga-ike pond at a higher position than the fountain, as its water source.
4. It shoots up using the water pressure generated by the height difference between the pond and the fountain.
5. Therefore, the height of the fountain changes depending on the water level of the pond.

8.2 Visitors’ perspective(What do you think at first glance?)

👉Fountains in the West have a long history, and fountain plazas are a common place to relax. They might think “why it is in a Japanese garden?” Like the fountain here, we might need more power of man on the explanation caused by “power of nature”?

8.3 Ready to Crack a Smile? Short Stories for You!

a) “Why is there a fountain in this historic garden?”

👉This time it is supposed to answer the ‘Why’ type of a question like ‘Why it it here?’ Again, the tone and speaker change between the first half (No. 1-6) and the second half (No. 7-12).

1. It may surprise Westerners who have a history of enjoying fountains since ancient Roman times.
2. It is said to be the oldest fountain in Japan.
3. The fountain water comes from Kasumiga-ike pond, that largest pond you saw.
4. The water is going up by the natural pressure caused by the difference in the surface levels of the two warters.
5. The fountain shoots about three meters(10 feet) high changing by the surface level of the upper pond, Kasumiga-ike.
6. Originally, the fountain is said to have been prototyped to send water to the castle.
7. It’s interesting to note that this was not created for enjoyment, but rather for practical purposes.
8. Without this prototype, this fountain might not have existed.
9. It is quite different from the ancient Romans who enjoyed fountains purely for entertainment.
10. At that time in Japan, rice cultivation was just beginning, and water was essential for it.
11. The spirit of not wanting to waste a single drop of water may have contributed to Japan’s current economic development.
12. Come to think of it, this fountain also contributes to Kanazawa City’s tax revenue with zero cost, powered only by natural forces without electricity.

９．”Midori-taki Waterfall” / “Green Waterfall”

👉Waterfalls are an integral part of Japanese gardens, so while listening to the sounds of the waterfall together, it might be a good way to convey the Japanese traditional way of thinking.

9.1 Basic Information

1. An artificial waterfall utilizing natural terrain features.
2. Water flows from the upper pond (Kasumigaｰike) to the lower pond (Hisago-ike).
3. Stones were piled up at the position of a basin of a waterfall.
4. The stones were put to adjust the sound of the waterfall.
5. Originally, it was built for the nearby tea room (Yūgao-tei).
6. Sound was important because it was created to enjoy it during tea ceremonies.
7. There is a theory that it was designed to replicate the sound of a Japan’s famous (Nachi) waterfall.

9.2 Visitors’ perspective(What do you think at first glance?)

It’s splendid as an artificial waterfall in a garden, but it’s objectively small, so many foreign people often just pass by not noticing anything. After all to most of them it’s just a normal part of the landscape of Japanese garden.

9.2 Ready to Crack a Smile? Short Stories for You!

a) “What is the meaning of this waterfall?”

👉Here too, the tone and speaker change between the first half (No. 1 to 5) and the second half (No. 6 to 9).

1. It is common to create a waterfall in a Japanese garden, but this artificial waterfall is the largest of its kind.
2. Many Japanese people find solace in listening to the sound of waterfalls.
3. Some theory says that it was created to enjoy the sound in this tea room.
4. It seems that they tried to recreate the sound of the most famous waterfall with the largest drop in Japan.
5. The gardener at the time reportedly received multiple rejections from the lord who ordered it.
6. But back then, without digital equipment, how could they prove that it was the exact same sound as the waterfall?
7. Achieving a goal without objective and accurate data would have been difficult even for the gardener at the time.
8. This small waterfall may have had a much greater drop than the tallest waterfall in Japan for the gardener.

Gratitude 🔶 Afterword

🔶Thank you very much for reading to the end of this issue. If you have any comments or requests, please feel free to contact us at the Help Desk.🔶GOLD