日本三名園の『岡山後楽園』へ/ To "Okayama Korakuen", one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan

 

日本三名園のひとつ

日本の代表的な3つの名園は、茨城県水戸市の「偕楽園」、石川県金沢市の「兼六園」、岡山県岡山市「岡山後楽園」とされています。これらの庭園は、いずれも江戸時代に藩主によって造られた「池泉回遊式庭園」で、国の特別名勝に指定でされ、兼六園は「雪」、岡山後楽園は「月」、偕楽園は「花」を表すそうです。後楽園は、備前岡山藩の2代藩主、池田綱政(いけだ・つなまさ)の命で、1687年に岡山城の対岸で庭園の建設が始まり、1700年に完成し、の後も歴代の藩主の要請で部分的に手が加えられ、江戸時代から姿を大きく変えることなく現在に至るようです。


後楽園の大きな特徴の一つは緑の広大な柴地で、広い青空とのコントラストでとても解放感があり、中央の大きな池「沢の池」や池、茶畑、竹林、築山、茶室などが、散策路や水路で結ばれ、移り変わる季節の景観を色々な角度から眺められるように回遊式庭園として設計されています。 よく見ると、園内を曲がりくねり流れる全長約640メートルの水路「曲水」は、園内を水の流れが巡回し、四季様々な花や樹木を反映さえ彩ある表情を見る事ができます。

 

初秋の散策@後楽園

10月末、岡山に帰省した機会に久しぶりに子供時代から親しんだ後楽園へ~。

まだ紅葉には少し早かったのですが、ちょうど菊花展の時期で、よく祖母が庭で菊を育てていた頃、菊花展に同伴していた事、家族や友達と訪れたり、実家でホームステイをしたオーストラリアの人達や、来客、友人知人を案内したり、アートのボランティア活動をしたりと、色々な思い出があります。こちらも、もう修学旅行生や訪日外国人旅行者の賑わいを取り戻しているようでした。有名なのは、沢の池北側から、高さ6メートルの唯心山(ゆいしんざん)方向を見ると、後楽園ならでは景色が眺められ後ろには岡山城天守閣が、また唯心山に登ると園全体の景色が望めます。



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To "Okayama Korakuen", one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan

 

The One of Japan's Three Great Gardens

The three most famous gardens in Japan are "Kairakuen" in Mito City of Ibaraki Prefecture, "Kenrokuen" in Kanazawa City of Ishikawa Prefecture, and "Okayama Korakuen" in Okayama City of Okayama Prefecture. All of these gardens are `Cycle circuit style gardens'' built by feudal lords in the Edo period, and have been designated as national special scenic spots. It is told that Kenrokuen shows "snow", Okayama Korakuen shows means "moon", and Kairakuen shows "flower".

Korakuen was built on by order of Tsunamasa Ikeda, the second lord of the Bizen Okayama in 1687 on the opposite bank of Okayama Castle. Partly it was modified at the request of the medieval lord, but it seems that the appearance has not changed much since the Edo period.

 

One of the major features of Korakuen is the vast green grassland, which contrasts with the wide blue sky and gives a very liberating feeling. Connected by walking paths and waterways, it is designed as a circuit garden so that you can see the scenery of the changing seasons from various angles. If you look carefully, you can see that the 640-meter-long "Curved Water Way" that winds through the park has a colorful expression that reflects by flowers and trees of the four seasons as the water flows around the park.

 

For a Walk in Autumn @ Korakuen

At the opportunity of returned to Okayama in the end of October. I visited to Korakuen Garden, which I have been familiar with since I was a child.

It was still a little early for autumn leaves, however it was right around the time of the chrysanthemum exhibition. I have a lot of memories of visiting and guiding guests and friends and participating in art volunteer activities there. This place also seemed to have regained visitors from the school trips and foreign tourists. It is known if you look in the direction of Mt. Yuishin from the north side of Sawanoike Pond which is 6 meters high, you can see a good view to Korakuen. The behind you, you can also see the tower of Okayama Castle.