The peace and wonder of Japan in the gardens is astounding. So much of my city is comprised of cultivated (and impeccably cared for) gardens in yards and parks.
For example, walking beside the river
here in Mito there are so many spots that have been intentionally selected or
cultivated to be beautiful with a certain “quietness.” They are places that
make me want to be still and know that God is creator. And although the people
of Japan do not know whom they should worship, I think they (as a cultural
whole) recognize that there is something beautiful and worth worshiping in
those quite places (thus all the shrines at the best quiet places).
The layout of my city here in Japan forces me to pause and say, “Wow, God.
すごい! The wonderful works of your hands,” in a way that no North American city ever has.
Part of the peace of these places is the harmony of water, plant, and stone. The water maintains a peaceful movement, the stones are cool and still, the plants are vivacious and (will be) green.The layout of garden spaces is also completely unlike western styles. There is no attempt to make nature uniform. instead, the oddities and uniqueness are highlighted and admired. When walking through the plum blossom orchard the flowers were beautiful but they were not the most beautiful. The tree trunks were because of their peculiarity - a peculiarity which the garden layout made notable.
There is garden "decoration" in Japan made from bamboo called shishio-doshi (or deer frighten-er) which periodically tips over and makes a hollow sound. It is meant to keep wildlife out of gardens but I love the sound of it. The image to the left is not one. (here is an video of one on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvwHph4bFN0)
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