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Japanese Friendship Garden

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goodtogo
goodtogo
First Reviewer
5 out of 5
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1
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4
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Editor Pick

Japanese Friendship Garden

  • May 17, 2007
  • Rated 5 of 5 by goodtogo from Oakdale, Connecticut
Japanese Friendship Garden

Designed to be tranquil, beautiful, and refreshing, the Japanese garden also recreates these qualities within the visitor as well. One leaves the garden feeling rejuvenated by nature's sights and sounds.

The first sound you hear as you enter the park is the sound of water trickling through a bamboo rod, the Shi-Shi-Odoshi. When the rod fills, it tips over and hits the rock basin beneath it. This sound supposedly keeps evil spirits away.

The path leads you to a stone lantern, the Oribe-doro. The original lantern has an interesting story behind it. Commissioned by three wealthy Christian followers of a famous tea master, the specially-designed lantern was supposed to have a carved Buddha within it. Because no one was permitted to be a Christian in Japan at the time, the lantern actually contained a hidden image of a cross.

The path then leads to an exhibit house. Within are exquisite Japanese dollhouses in the traditional Japanese design. Also impressive were the beautiful and colorful mizuhiki, dyed cords for wrapping letters which serve to function as wax seals in the West—once tied, they cannot be tied again. Also on display are banners of lovely Japanese characters. My favorite said: "Kissako. Trust yourself. Do your best in small daily matters."

Outside the exhibit house is the rock garden, its barrenness a stark contrast to the lush, flowering Japanese garden before, and the koi pond and waterfall that lie beyond. However, its stillness adds to the feeling of tranquil serenity one gets from visiting the garden.

At the end of the path is a bonsai display. Some of the more interesting bonsai are created by native California shrubs.

The Japanese garden provides a peaceful interlude in an otherwise rushed visit to Balboa Park.

From journal San Diego Adventures

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