koishikawa korakuen
Yukizuri – 雪吊り
Hamarikyu garden When visiting Japanese gardens in winter, one will recognize some strange ropes and mats around the pine trees and some other plants. These are called Yukizuri 雪吊り and Fuyugakui 冬囲い. Both are meant to protect the trees from the weight of snow. In Tokyo there is seldom so much snow, that the trees need […]
Top Cherry Blossoms (Sakura) in Japanese Gardens
Of course the cherry blossom is very much better known than the plum blossom I mentioned in a previous blog post. And yes, it is really great to stand under a whole sea of pink! I guess most visitors to Japan know the Japanese term for cherry – Sakura – because it is this famous. […]
Stone Lanterns in the Japanese garden
The next garden element on my list is the stone lantern. Everyone knows the beautiful withered lanterns made of natural or hewn rocks. Today I want to talk about their origin and use in the Japanese garden. Origin Lanterns weren‘t always a garden element. They were invented in a religious context during the Tang Dynasty […]
Treasure Ship – 宝船 ・ Ship Stone – 船石 explained
What I always tried to find out was the relationship between the Treasure Ship (takarabune) with the Seven Lucky Gods (shichifukujin), and the Ship Stone (funaishi). Now that I stuck at home, I have time to investigate! Let’s start with a more or less short explanation of these three: Treasure Ship – takarabune – 宝船 This […]
Tokyo’s Admirable Gardens
You might think, real Japanese gardens can be found within Kyoto alone. Today I want to convince you that this is not true. There are also admirable gardens in Japan’s modern capital Tokyo. If you are already on my side, please read anyhow, you will see beautiful garden pictures and might discover the one or […]
Tokyo Garden Events in October 2015
2015 October 1st. : Entrance will be free in all great gardens of Tokyo (Except Shinjuku Gyoen!). Rikugien 24.10. 2015 Shamisen Concert13h & 14h Every weekend in October + 12.10. 2015 (Monday), except 25.10. 2015 (Sunday)Edo Daikagura and Fröbel mini concert, Daikagura3.10. 201512h, 13.30h, 14.30h, 15.30h Daikaguraother dates12h, 13h, 14.30h, 15.30h Fröbel mini concert3.10. 201513h […]
Koishikawa Korakuen eBook – Discover Tokyo’s Historic Garden
From today on, our new eBook about the daimyo garden Koishikawa Kōrakuen is available! This daimyo garden is one of the two most famous Japanese gardens in Tokyo and an outstanding example of an Edo period strolling garden (kaiyū-shiki teien). Edo strolling gardens combined elements from earlier garden styles into a pre-set walking route. Unlike […]
A Tokyo Garden Tour: Korakuen and Tonogayato-Teien
In April, I guided three German tourists on a Tokyo garden tour to explore two of the city’s most fascinating gardens. Sharing the history of Japanese garden styles and design elements was so much fun! I love to talk about Japan, especially when people are curious and ask questions. That’s when I know they are […]