Monday, July 18, 2011

A Japanese Tea Garden

I don't know much about the philosophy or principles of oriental gardening but being in a traditional Japanese garden gives me a sense of peace.



I want to slow down,  to pause and quietly think, rather than exuberantly admire.



So I was very much looking forward to a visit to the Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park. I was not disappointed.



This garden is the oldest public Japanese garden in the US, commissioned in 1894, and some structures and plants still date back to that time.



In fact, the statue of Buddha above was cast in Japan in 1790 and moved to San Francisco in 1949.



The garden is situated on 5 acres of gently sloping land which provides ample room for water features, beautiful structures including an ornate vermilion pagoda, and many plant species native to Japan and China.



I like lots of color in my garden but I appreciate another culture's approach to gardening, fascinating and alien to me at the same time.



In fact, it is surprising how many things I start to notice once the distraction of brightly colored flowers is removed.



 I begin to see clear clean lines, almost like pencil drawings, the play of light and shadow on meandering paths, gentle fluttering of deeply serrated leaves of a Japanese maple, the intricate and balanced structure of a carefully pruned tree.



I went away with a vague feeling of sadness that I don't have a serene and quiet place like this to stroll around in, but I have to say I was glad enough to see my roses and penstemons again...

27 comments:

  1. Masha,you do have the knack to make a very simple picture come alive. It is so true, just because we may favour a certain style does not mean that we are incapable of finding pleasure in others.

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  2. I too love the peace and quiet that seems to emanate from a Japanese garden. This one is beautiful, I am so glad you took us along. You are so right on the images looking like their art. Simple form is so important, and isolated, quite beautiful. Love your photos.

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  3. Wow, Masha ! What a garden !!!
    Is there such a place in Europe ? I would love to see something like this, with my eyes ...

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  4. This is a beautiful place. I would visit too if I don't have to fly half way round the way to get there. Thanks for sharing such a serene garden.

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  5. Piękne zdjęcia... pozdrawiam Gabi...

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  6. The Japanese way of gardening is very peaceful. What a treat to be able to visit that garden. After seeing gardens that make me feel peaceful, I try to find ways to make my own gardens to have a calming effect.

    Happy Gardening ~ FlowerLady

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  7. The scale of Japanese Gardens are so well thought out. Fine textures are used throughout to create a space which fells larger than it is. Nice photos, well designed.

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  8. Thanks for the virtual tour. I visited this lovely garden many years ago but had forgotten about it.

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  9. I have missed seeing your roses, but this garden is incredible. Your pictures have captured its essence and just looking at them makes me peaceful and reflective. I have a few quiet spots in my garden and my pond to help me be peaceful in this crazy world. I also find the white garden and meadow gardens I have to give me serenity as well...I will have to make sure I visit this beautiful garden when i get to San Fran again!!

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  10. It's one of my favorite places in San Francisco. I could never get tired of visiting it.
    Beautiful photos. I especially like the ones with waterlily and maple leaves.
    Have a lovely day!

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  11. When I lived in the Bay Area I visited the San Francisco Japanese Garden at least twice and have very fond memories of it. You captured the atmosphere very well. Great photos as always, except that I think you are getting better and better :-)!
    Christina

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  12. Masha - the photos of the Japanese buildings are beautiful but it's the three pictures of leaves that make my eye linger.

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  13. Thank you, Alistair, for your compliment. It made my day.

    Donna, thank you. I appreciate your understanding.

    Dani, thank you, and I hope so. Maybe you will find one and blog about it...

    One, I understand. That's why I enjoy your blog - I get to see things I never would otherwise.

    Gabi, thank you. I am glad to hear from you.

    FlowerLady, I understand that although I go for flowering plants every time :)

    Greggo, you are right, there is much we can learn from this kind of garden design.

    Darla and Carolyn, thank you. Carolyn, I am glad it brought back some memories for you.

    Donna, you are right, a white garden would have that effect too. If I ever get more land I will have a white garden too. I will get back to roses soon, it is just that there is so much more out there than roses...

    Olga, thank you. I never made time to go there before, but I am glad I did...

    Christina, thank you for your compliments. Maybe you will get to see it again when you next come.

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  14. B-a-g, thank you, they are my favorite too...

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  15. Beautiful garden, great pics. Thanks for sharing them.

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  16. The garden is stunning and your photographs are amazing. Thanks for taking us on a tour - I absolutely loved it!

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  17. Thanks for taking us on a stroll of this gorgeous garden. It is indeed a place for quiet reflection and enjoyment. But I love your garden, too!

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  18. Thank you, Bridget and Cathy. I am glad you liked them.

    Deb, thank you for mentioning my garden too :)

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  19. You captured the gardens in their glory. Thanks for taking us on the tour!

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  20. You are welcome, Beth. I am glad you enjoyed it.

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  21. I took my daughter to the Japanese Tea gardens on my last summer trip to CA a few years ago and a pix of us there is one of my favorites. It's like entering another world. I'm so glad you posted pix of it! It's like visiting it all over again. :o)

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  22. I am glad you enjoyed the post, Casa Mariposa. I like to bring good memories back!

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  23. There are not lots of brilliantly colored flowers but the buildings are so colorful and ornate, and look to fit in so beautifully with the varied colors and textures of the greenery. I love your description of the calming efect of a Japanese garden.

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  24. Thank you, Sweetbay, and you are right, other things come forward, not the flowers. I forgot to include a picture of koi, but they are one of the important ones for color too.

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  25. Sans vouloir être indiscrète, qu'utilises-tu comme appareil ? Tes photos sont magnifiques ! Merci pour ce partage !
    Laurence

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  26. Thanh you Masha, that you joined in my blog "seittitakiainen" ! What a beautiful rosepictures you have! I also love roses!

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I am so glad you have stopped by!