FUN-travel: Jubilant Japan in Bloom! – Kanazawa
April 10, 2018 by Susan Clarke
- Kenrokuen Garden…
…justifiably classified as one of Japan’s…
…“three most beautiful landscape gardens.”
- The spacious strolling-style landscape & grounds…
…used to be the outer garden of Kanazawa Castle.
- Constructed by the ruling Maeda family…
…over a period of nearly two hundred years…
…opened to the public in 1871…
…features a variety of flowering trees…
…which provide the garden with…
…a different look for each season.
- The name Kenrokuen literally means “Garden of the Six Sublimities”…
…referring to spaciousness, seclusion, artifice, antiquity, abundant water & panoramic views…
…which according to Chinese landscape theory…
…are the six essential attributes…
…that make up a perfect garden.
FUN-fact – Winding streams & ponds were created by diverting water from a distant river via a sophisticated water system constructed in 1632.
Kanazawa Castle Gates
- Nomura Samarai House…
…historic home & garden in Nagamachi…
…a very well preserved district…
…to the west of Kanazawa Castle.
- Nagamachi was formerly the area…
…where the samurai of Kanazawa…
…lived with their families.
- Today the area looks…
…pretty much the same…
…as it did in the Edo era…
…with canals & cobbled streets…
….that run between earthen tile-topped walls.
- This has been a samurai…
…warrior house since 1583…
….many of the rooms are arranged….
…so that the lush green awe-inspiring garden…
…can be viewed from different angles…
…which includes an exquisite waterfall…
…winding stream & bridge made of cherry granite…
…various kinds of garden lanterns…
…& a many-storied tower…
…arranged here & there.
FUN-fact – Higashi Chayagai features traditional Japanese style houses where Samurai & Geisha walked the streets.
Higashi Chayagai Bridge