Maples & Mirei's Gardens in Tohfukuji Temple

2. An article on July 14, 2009

The article last time was mainly on maples, but this time mainly on the Japanese garden.

The founder's Hall garden, which also serves as the front yard of Fumon-in Hall,
seems to have been made in the middle of the Edo period.

The following Hojo garden was made by Shigemori Mirei in 1938.

Hojo South Garden, a dry landscape garden with rocks & sand,
and Tsukiyama, i.e. the sacred mountains covered with moss at the west side

Hojo East Garden with the Big Dipper design of seven cylindrical stones

Hojo North Garden with checkered pane design made of stones and moss

Hojo West Garden with Seiden checkered design of azalea

1. An article on April 28, 2007

When it comes to Tohfukuji Temple, we associate Tutenkyo-Bridge & Maples.

When we came in from the north gate and reached Gaunkyo-bridge,
we saw Tutenkyo-Bridge at our left. It's a stir.

Tutenkyo-Bridge encircled by sea of maples from Gaunkyo-Bridge

Gaunkyo-Bridge encircled by sea of maples from Tutenkyo-Bridge in reverse

Walking along the alley, I found trident maples standing out among Japanese maples.

Toh-kaede (trident maples) were outstanding especially in this temple.

Young leaves of Toh-kaede have bright yellowish green color.

Let me show you some Gardens made by Mirei SHIGEMORI around Hohjoh Hall.

South Garden of Dry landscape with rocks & sand

We see "Tsukiyama" compared to Five mountains at the right side of this photo.

Use of Pane design makes this North Garden characteristic.

North Garden of Pane designed stones

It was a nice temple fitting "Momiji-temple" with a wide site, interesting gardens, many maples.

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