Perfect Landscaping – Kenrokuen Garden/Park – Kanazawa

Kenroku-en Garden-Park – ancient stone Torii Gate and Lantern

Magnificent Kenroku-en Gardens 

This magnificent Japanese garden  developed over centuries; from about  the 1620’s through to the 1840’s by the Maeda clan, the most powerful family under the Tokugawa Shogunate. Kenrokuen Park  considered one of the three Great Gardens of Japan. The reflections in the streams and ponds are magic.

Kenroku-en Pond views and cherry blossoms

Perfect Landscaping

The name Kenroku-en comes from Ken(combined),Roku(six),En(Park). The name derived from the Chronicles of the Famous Luoyang Gardens by Chinese poet Li Gefei. Kenroku-en Garden has the six attributes of perfect landscaping as described in the famous chronicles  – spaciousness, seclusion, artificiality, antiquity, abundant water and broad view.

In the Ponds – bright green leaves of the Japanese Iris

The Park   and ponds give unique viewing each season. In the Spring over 400 cherry blossom trees; in early summer the purple irises;  autumn the glorious red and yellows leaves of many deciduous trees and shrubs. In winter, a magical scene of snow-covered pines, bridges and   lanterns.    When the snow begins to melt  plum trees are the first  to bloom, heralding the spring blossoms

Kenroku-en Park- beautiful soft foliage of Karasaki Pine

Perfection in landscaping

The landscaping  is perfection with flowering cherry blossoms, bridges over  serene ponds, waterfalls, ancient fountains, a  distinctive lantern, immaculately trimmed shrubs and giant Karasaki pines, all part of  picturesque landscaping.

Bronze statue of 13th lord of Kaga, Nariyasu (1811 to 1884) Kenrouken Park

The Karasaki pine is  a magnificent tree. This one so very ancient. Planted  by the 13th Lord Nariyasu from seed taken from a karasaki pine at Karasaki, near Lake Biwa. Lake Biwa  lies north-east of the former capital city of Kyoto, in the Shiga Prefecture. It  is Japan’s largest freshwater lake.

Ancient Karasaki Pine with strong poles to support branches in winter snowfall

‘Yukitsuri’ or snow hanging

One of the interesting aspects of the park is the Japanese ‘yukitsuri’ (meaning snow hanging). These are frames  made with ropes and strong poles  to support the branches of this beautiful pine tree and other ancient trees during the heavy snowfalls of winter. Just look at the length of the branches of this ancient pine, no wonder it needs support during heavy snowfalls.  More than 800 ropes used for the snow hanging of the Karasaki pine.

Karasaki Pines with snow supports in preparation for winter

The yukitsuri   frame  prevents the branches from breaking and collapsing under the weight of the snow. Broken or split branches would ruin the tree and the landscaping image.  However, the Japanese have managed to make the supports an attractive piece of art, adding to the broad view of the landscape.

Enjoying the view and delicate pink cherry blossoms on Hanibashi Bridge Kenrokuen

Enjoying the beauty of Cherry Blossoms on Hanibashi Bridge

We were so lucky to have such a beautiful morning to stroll through the park and enjoy the  landscaping and all its attractions. Lovely garden and pond views standing on Hanibashi bridge under the cherry blossoms. Looking from the bridge, you can see the green leaves of the irises already planted in the ponds for summer blooming. Nearby the famous statue of Prince Yamato Takeru, prince of the Yamato dynasty.

Kasumigaike Pond with Isle shaped like a tortoise – Kenrokuen Park, Kanazawa

Kasumigaike – largest of three ponds

Kasumigaike the largest of the three artificial ponds of Kenrokuen is in the center of the park. The Isle in the middle of the pond shaped like a large tortoise symbolizing long life. The first fountain placed in a Japanese garden is in Kasumigaike pond, the continuous plume of water is operating by natural water pressure.

First fountain in a Japanese garden place in Kenrokuen park

Uchihashi-tei – Floating Tea house

Uchihashi-tei is one of the four original houses at Kenrokuen Park built by  the Lake (Kasumigaike) on Kasuma Pond. These buildings consist of two house, the one floating on Kasuma Pond connected to the other by a land bridge. The floating tea house is a very open tea house with windows on three sides giving views of the ponds.  The design has its origin in the sukiya style of tea house where tea ceremonies were held; also ikebana flower arranging and other Japanese traditional arts.  Tea ceremonies are held in Uchihashi-tei once a year on May 7th,  when admission to Kenrokuen Park is free of charge on this particular day.

Kenroku-en Park – floating tea house on Kasuma Pond

Working women tending the paths and ponds

We passed workmen and women tending to the paths in the park, they gave a friendly nod as we said good morning. The Park is spotless, the gravel paths raked to keep as smooth and as even possible.

Japanese women tending paths in the park-Kenrokuen

Kotojitoro Lantern and Nijibashi Bridge

Everyone in our group had to have their photo taken on Nijibashi Bridge (rainbow bridge) in front of the Kotojitoro Lantern. the Bridge and Lantern are  two well-known famous spots in Kenrokuen Park. The lantern, shaped like the bridge that support the strings of a Japanese musical instrument, the Koto. The Bridge is also known as Koto bridge.

Kenrokuen park – Kotojitoro Lantern and Nijibashi Bridge

Across one of the other ponds we came to  Ganko-bashi Bridge or Flying Geese Bridge, an interesting feature made of eleven red stones  resembling  Geese in a flying formation. It is also said to resemble a row of aligned tortoises, and has another name Tortoise Shell bridge. Since the tortoise is a symbol of longevity to the Japanese,  they believe that crossing the bridge can bring you long life. This idea became so popular that the stones deteriorated over time by over-use and the bridge is now closed for safety reasons.

Kenrouken Park – Flying Geese Bridge or Tortoise Shell bridge

Kanazawa Castle Park

Kenrokuen Garden adjoins the Kanazawa Castle Park.  A short walk along a path with a spectacular display of  flowering cherry blossom trees  against the ancient stone wall brought us to the gate of  Kanazawa Castle Park.

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