May 13, 2014 - 1 min read

Reflections of Shosei-En, Kyoto

Seeing double in the pond of a peaceful Kyoto garden

By Peter Sidell

Community writer

The sky and the underside of the bridge are perfectly clear

Every part of the garden is in harmony

Perhaps this couple are admiring their own reflections?

Sometimes the reflection forms a frame for the sky

The paths take you round the edges of the ponds

Waterlilies add to the peaceful atmosphere

Some trees are evergreen, some display vivid autumn colors

On a still day the reflections are perfectly clear... I've actually rotated this picture to be upside down!

Not far from Kyoto station, Shosei-En is a beautiful traditional Japanese garden, associated with nearby Higashi-Honganji temple. Much of it is given over to a large pond, which is spanned by two elegant wooden bridges and dotted with islands, from which a stream runs to a smaller pond overlooked by a teahouse. I have a liking for photographs of reflections in water, so the ponds gave me plenty of opportunity to indulge myself, and these are the results.

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Peter Sidell

By Peter Sidell

Community writer

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