The garden in front of the Hojo (方丈) building of Kodai-ji Temple is Kare Sansui (枯山水) style.
In a Kare Sansui style garden, there is no real water, or real mountain, or real creatures. There are simply rocks and pebbles. You might see tranquil ocean, or huge waves. The rock you see might resemble a strong man, or a beautiful bird.
Only your imagination can determine what you see in front of you.
Sagano (嵯峨野), the north west section of Kyoto is famous for its beautiful bamboo forest. Yet here in Kodai-ji Temple, you can also stroll the bamboo passage.
What makes the bamboo passage so special? Maybe its orderly verticle lines?
It's easy to admire the beauty of the nature, but the thing is, this beauty is a product of meticulous care taken by human being.
A bamboo passage, an example of perfect collaboration between the nature and people.
The garden with the pond in the middle is said to have been designed by Kobori Enshu (小堀遠州, 1579-1647). He was a master of tea ceremony as well as a reknown landscape architect.
With its excellent and dynamic stone layout, Kodai-ji Temple's garden is one of the finest of Kobori's work. The north section of the pond is an island in the form of a turtle. In the south section is a group of stones representing a crane.
A turtle and a crane... both represent longevity.
Across the street from Fujita Museum is Taikoh-en, which used to be Denzaburo Fujita's main residence. In the middle of the city of Osaka, the 6.5-acre of Japanese traditional garden is a tranquil oasis.
You don't have to be a guest of Taikoh-en to stroll around the garden. After you appreciate his private collection in the museum, don't forget to spend some time to enjoy this garden.
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