Garden of the Tiger and the Dragon
When we first saw the place for future Japanese garden, we were really impressed by the view beyond. Beautiful golf course, with rolling hills and perfectly trimmed grass. So it was necessary to include this wonderful landscape in the future garden.
The owner of the garden is deeply interested in Japan and Japanese gardens, knows them well.
We decided to make a landscape garden "Sencha no Niwa", or Sencha garden (tea garden, built according to the laws of Sencha tea culture). Such gardens were created for Japanese intellectuals or hermits. Tea-houses in such gardens were not as austere as in the gardens for macha tea, and one of the main elements was a stream. Its water was used for the tea ceremony.
There aldeady was an Arbor for tea drinking, it is located above the garden. From there we can go to the garden by stairs. There is also another way from the main garden, we should walk along a stone path framed on both sides by thuja hedges. At the end there is a bamboo fence and gate.
After the turn we see the complex shape pond. Along the right coast there is a steping-stone path.
One of the stones personifies the tiger. The fact is that the owners of the garden are Tiger and Dragon by horoscope, so we decided that this should be reflected in the garden.
Then, the path leads us to the ascent of the hill. This path is a symbol of a person’s life, and the ascent to the top is his spiritual development.
At the top of the hill there is a Buddhist triad (sanzon-seki) - three stones, three incarnations of the Buddha.Here the person gets the chance to admire the most beautiful view as a reward for a difficult climb. A Japanese-style formed pine tree is also planted on the top, and a "stream" of Japanese spirea flows between the stones.
Next, you need to go along the top to the second hill and go down. This path is very picturesque. To the right there are stunning view of hills and fields, to the left is a Japanese garden, and a stone waterfall is seen in front. And at the end of spring, the lilac bloom and its aroma make the garden especially beautiful.
We reach the waterfall. This is the Falls of the Dragon, which crawls over the hill to the source of water.
From here begins a long, winding stream.
The return path runs down the hill. Before you cross the creek over the stone bridge, you can relax a bit by washing your face and your hands from tsukubai.
The colors of the bowl resemble the skin of koi carps.
Almost at the end of the path, there is the Island of Turtle, a symbol of wisdom and knowledge. A small pine formed in Japanese-style grows on it.
The head of the Turtle is slightly raised and looks towards the pond.
Next to the island we put a bench. Sitting on it, you can not only admire the surrounding landscape, but also listen to the murmur of the flowing stream.
Colorful koi carps frolic in the pond. It is a big pleasure to watch them!
So that on hot days the fish had a place to hide from the sun, we made a small shed for them.
And, of course, you can admire not only carp, but also beautiful flowering plants.
After relaxing near the pond, we can go on the return trip. We cross the stream by the stepping stones and go along the path, which will merge with the main path.
We pass again the stone lantern tati-gata illuminating the climb up.
The second stone lantern is located near the pond. It is a yukimi-gata designed to admire the snow.
Here is the end of the walk and we go out through the gate.
Like a true Japanese garden, the Tiger and Dragon garden is interesting at any time of the year. Even in winter, when there is snow and bright colors disappear, the garden is very interesting, it resembles Japanese sumi-e monochrome painting. Snow-covered pictures awaken the imagination, making you feel like a monk learning zen or a poet composing haiku...
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