Nishimura Villa Garden, Kyoto
The Nishimura family villa is the former residence of the Kamigamo corporate house. It belonged to the Nishikigori family, whose members have served the shrine for centuries. The Kamigamo shrine itself was created in 678 on the banks of the Kamo River flowing in the north of Kyoto. Thus, it is one of the oldest Shinto shrines.
During the Meiji era, the villa was acquired by Seizaburo Nishimura, head of the textile industry. He built the main building. The garden has survived to this day almost unchanged.
The garden was designed by Shigeyasu Fujiki, the priest of the Kamigamo Shrine. The work on its creation was completed at the end of the Heian period, in 1181. The villa is located next to the Myojin River, from which water enters to the garden's water system and returns back. The river itself can be seen on the way to the house, it flows from the Kamigamo Shrine and passes by the old houses that form the city called shake-machi, what means "family houses of priests." We especially liked the pine tree, one of its branches goes down to the water.
The priests passed on their status by inheritance, so their families lived in houses near the temple. However, even after these houses were officially separated from the temples, many families continue to live here to this day.
Turning into one of the lanes, we saw a road picturesquely painted with autumn maples.
Entrance to the house.
Usually, those Japanese gardens where I was lucki to be alone make the strongest impression on me. Well, or at least with a small number of people. Then I can feel that magical feeling of belonging, delight and sadness at the same time that Japanese gardens are capable of evoking. And in this regard, we were extremely lucky. We were completely alone!
Despite the fact that this is the only house belonging to the Kamigamo Shrine open to the public, it is little known to tourists, so this is a great opportunity to visit there alone, to feel the calm atmosphere of the garden and to touch the history. You can imagin as the holidays Kyokusui were held here in Heian times, when aristocrats put bowls of sake in the water and compose poems while this bowl floats towards them.
Right in front of the house, on the left, you can see a well, where the priest bathed in cold water, and also he performed a body cleansing ceremony.
There is a Buddhist triad of Sandzon-seki in the garden, the main stone of it depicts the deity Kamiyama. But, unfortunately, the overgrown plants don't allow to see it well, and walks in this part of the garden are not provided. The stone is behind the lantern, on the right.
Although the house is relatively recent, it doesn't look new or modern. Open sliding doors make the home and garden a single, interpenetrating space.
On the opposite side there is a small courtyard with a well.
We were about to leave when a man selling tickets showed us the passage and offered to go there.
It turns out that there is another, southern garden with a pond with koi carps. Shoin windows overlook it.
The group of stones behind the bridge resembles a dry waterfall.
Despite the fact that the garden was covered with leaves in the fall, it did not seem unkempt. Rather, it further emphasized the age of the garden, its special uniqueness and beauty.
If you love Japanese gardens, but the noisy crowds of tourists make you bored, if you are interested in touching the history and looking at one of the few ancient gardens that have come down to us, then Kamigamo Nishimura Garden is what you will definitely like! Just as we liked it ))
Garden Information:
Address: 1 Kamigamo Nakaojicho, Kita Ward, Kyoto, 603-8075, JAPAN
Opening hours: from 9.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.
Closed: December 9th - March 16th
anshin©2011All rights reserved. When using the materials of the site, reference is obligatory.
Proposals for co-operation, as well as comments and suggestions on the site please send to the address: anshinsad@gmail.comtel: +7 (965) 121-80-60, 10am-20pm