Event Report

Talk by Mr. Manning

Gardens of Kyoto

16th November 2011

A well attended evening during which we were entertained with slides which as well as being interesting in themselves illustrated the way Japanese gardens were affected by politics and religion.

Several types of gardens were shown, including moss gardens containing more than 200 species of moss, and those comprising, in part or whole, sand or gravel. Frequent use is made of water either as lakes or streams for visual and sound effect. Those gardens using sand or gravel are meticulously raked each morning by monks attached to the Temples. The banes of life of these Monks are cats using the garden as a litter tray, or snakes slithering across and leaving a trail. Garden sizes vary from 30 sq. m. to very large estates.

Large stones or boulders are often positioned carefully in the gardens and each has a name and deep meaning and significance, particularly in the sand or gravel gardens. These stones are often of very high monetary value. Probably the best known of such a garden is that of the Ryoan – ji Temple shown in the photos. These photos also illustrate the use of background, in this case a cherry tree, to enhance the visual effect. In the case of one temple, which is not shown here, which is reached by stone steps and is at considerable height, the land comprising the whole view outwards to a range of mountains several miles away has been purchased by the Japanese government to preserve the view.

One of the slides shown was of Kinkaku - ji temple, famous as the Golden Pavilion. It is also known as the Deer Park Temple, and is positioned with a large lake in front. The upper two floors of the temple are covered in gold leaf, and the whole structure is reflected magnificently in the waters of the lake. As shown in the photos. The lake itself contains three large stones set in line to represent sailing boats. This is typical of the use mentioned in the preceding paragraph.

The photographs shown with this report have been contributed by a garden club member.