
Kyoto Tofuku-ji's Hojo Garden
Tomoko KamishimaThe designer and planner of this garden (which was built in 1939), Shigemori Mirei, called them 'concept gardens containing..
Kyoto was the capital of Japan for over 1000 years (794-1867). It is famous for its temples and gardens, of which there are three main types (although some gardens combine styles):
Dry gardens use rocks and sand for the expression of water. They are generally designed to be enjoyed from a room.
Excursion style gardens usually include a walk around a pond. We can enjoy different views during the walk.
Abstract style gardens are quite modern but still follow some garden traditions.
The first garden in Kyoto originated at Shinsen-en Garden. Gardens evolved over a long period of time into the three styles mentioned above.
In this series, Tomoko Kamishima introduces some master garden planners (gardeners/landscape architects), and some of the gorgeous Japanese gardens they designed in Kyoto:
Priest Muso Soseki (1275-1351): Tenryu-ji’s Hojo Garden (Excursion style garden)
Kobori Enshu (1579-1647): Konchi-in’s Tsuru-Kame Garden (Dry garden)
Ishikawa Jozan (1583-1672): Shisen-do Villa (Dry garden/Excursion style garden)
Ueji VII (1860-1933): Murin-an Villa (Excursion style garden)
Shigemori Mirei (1896-1975): Tofuku-ji’s Hojo Garden (Abstract style garden)
The designer and planner of this garden (which was built in 1939), Shigemori Mirei, called them 'concept gardens containing..
Murin-an Villa was once the private villa of a powerful politician, Aritomo Yamagata. It is located near Nanzen-ji Temple, in the..
Kyoto's Konchi-in Temple Garden was designed by Kobori Enshu (1579-1647) in around 1630, but it was a talented gardener na..
In Kyoto's Arashiyama, the landscape of cherry blossoms and autumn leaves are very special, although this district attract..