back in time, parallel to the world. This is
what happens when you step through the gate
of a Japanese garden. It doesn't matter that
this one was created in the 1960s by
Americans. They were utterly faithful to the
aesthetic sense of feudal Japan.
It always amazes me that cultures fractured by
centuries of warfare can still create oases of
peace and reflection. The Japanese
understood the importance of doing so.
Warriors and the warred-upon need places
where life drifts outside of conflict and a
center can be found.
one view and reminds you that the point is not
to get from here to there, but to stop along the
way. Stand here and see pine trees
transformed into sky. Look over the edge and
watch koi drift beneath in cloudy waters.
Turn around and look where you came from.
From every angle, there's a different view. Is
there anything more important than to realize
this?
Perhaps more of our bridges should bend.
you to look through their openings and see the garden through their windows. Worlds within worlds,
functionally elegant, they serve many purposes.
you, flashes of gold and pearl and obsidian brightening silty
waters.
easy to forget the merciless laws of the wild. Turtles peacefully sun themselves, frogs air out on the
bank, and even the hunting birds don't disturb the tranquility.
always been a particular favorite of mine. For one who isn't much good at sitting zazen
yet, reflecting pools give a good lesson in just being. Sit in the moment. Let thoughts
go. Allow yourself to become part of this place where water reflects sky and the world
isn't such a cacophony.
You could gaze at it for hours and see many
different things: misty, snow-draped mountains; an
arbor of grapes in Italy, perhaps even a magical
passage into a secret garden. Or just a lot of
pretty flowers growing on poles.
reflection of the world: a meadow, a lake,
streams, orchards, and here a mountain path.
The paths wind through, inviting you on
expeditions and side-tracks, showing you
secrets and taking you delightfully out of
your way. That's the whole point of it, after
all.
coming to America to plant a European
tree. A good portion of the world came
together in one whole here.
from across the pond. I've
never experienced an actual
Japanese tea ceremony.
This is the perfect place to
do it for the first time. This
was another way the samurai
used to remind themselves
that being a warrior doesn't
mean you can leave behind all
social graces. They turned a
cuppa into an elaborate
testimony to simplicity and
quiet.
achieved a grace you
wouldn't expect from some
wood and paper. But the
most interesting fact is not
that a few Americans
managed a decent recreation
of the real thing, but that
they have to weed the moss
surrounding it with
chopsticks. Yes, chopsticks.
some stark: it's only Japanese gardens that combine both elements into such a complete whole. Life,
here, in this time and in this place, is perfect.
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