Kumamoto En 熊本園

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Elements of Kumamoto En
 WALKING TOUR (page 2):

Niju Masu, or "double measure" style basin

This Gyo style combines cut granite with natural shaped stones to form a surface that has a formal feel tempered with the calm beauty of natural shapes. The path is shaded by two deciduous trees called momiji もみじ, or Japanese Maples (Acer palmatum). Throughout the garden, varieties of momiji provide color and texture spring, summer, and fall, and graceful sculptures of nature through the winter.

The path comes to a place to pause and symbolically purify before continuing into this special space. The square granite basin is called chozubachi 手水鉢. It is of a style called niju masu  二重桝, meaning double measure for the diamond-shaped hollow within the square shape cut of the stone. The basin provides water for washing of hands and face, removing the dirt, cares and troubles of the world. The flow from the basin symbolizes an underground water source - something both Kumamoto and San Antonio have in common. The basin is set low so a visitor must bend in honor and humility to fill the take bishaku  竹柄杓, or bamboo dipper. The small stones below the large platform stone catch the wash water. For more information on this special area, see the article on Tsukubai つくばい .

Mizu-hotaru Toro or "Water Firefly Lantern"

The mizu-hotaru toro 水蛍燈籠, or water firefly lantern, stands over the chozubachi, providing light for night time visits to the garden. The beauty of fireflies dancing magically over garden ponds at night inspired this lantern. It is usually placed near the water's surface to provide a reflection resembling its namesake. More detail can be found at mizubotaru toro.

Both the hotaru toro and the chozubachi lay at the foot of a grass-covered mound symbolizing the active volcano that stands above the City of Kumamoto. It is known as Mount Aso 阿蘇山.

Under the red-leafed variety of momiji growing from the side of Mount Aso, stands a special stone called a zazen ishi  座禅石, or Meditation Stone.

From the earliest Japanese history, stones have always been an important part of the garden and the selection and placement of these stones is considered a special art. The stones in the Kumamoto En were placed with no less care. Those located in the water were taken from water - those used in forming the mountains were selected from the mountains. The hotaru toro, chozubachi, zazen ishi, and the symbolic Mount Aso are included in an area of the garden considered the "Kumamoto, Japan" side of the garden.

The symbolic "Fuji-san"

The garden construction was guided by Japanese landscaper Katsuoki Kawahara, owner of Kawahara Company in Kyoto, Japan. Japanese stone lanterns, usually made of granite, find their origins in Buddhist Temples, and later in the Shinto Shrines.

Oribe lantern near entry

Their windows, covered with rice paper to shield the wind and illuminated with small oil lamps or candles, cast their light as guides at a garden entrance, at a special viewpoint, or along the pathway to tea rooms or waiting arbors called azumayas.

The first of three styles represented in the garden is known as the Oribe lantern 織部灯籠. It is a style of stone lantern designed specifically for garden use by its creator, Japanese warlord Furuta Oribe 古田織部, also a great tea master and a practitioner of the Sukiya way of life. It is located just inside and to the right of the entry gate.

The two opposing sides of the light chamber have windows shaped like the moon and the sun. The knob-like top to this and many other lanterns represents a lotus bud. A lantern with this type of base called a "planted lantern" (ikekomi-gata) because its base is buried in the earth for support. Some Oribe lanterns have a Buddha carved into the base. After Lord Oribe was converted to Christianity, he began having the Virgin Mary carved into the bases of his lanterns. This version of the Oribe is known as the Christian Lantern. See Krishitan doro – キリシタン灯籠 for more information.

Katsura style fence

There are four styles of take gaki 竹垣 -, or bamboo fence represented in the Kumamoto En. All are handmade from materials brought from Japan. The fence style on this side of the entry is named Katsura gaki 桂垣 after the style used in the Katsura Detached Palace gardens in Kyoto (gaki is a Japanese word for fence) See Katsura gaki for more on this fence.

One of the more difficult to construct, it is assembled with alternating sections of small and medium bamboo waddle to provide a subtle checkerboard effect. These sections are held in a wooden frame covered by half-sections of bamboo culm, cut at an angle at the top. The sections are topped with three half-sections of culm to protect the waddle from rain. All is held together with copper wire and palm rope tied with traditional knots, and supported from the back by posts and buttress-like poles. If you look closely, you will see that the entire fence sits upon a narrow layer of stone to protect it from the soil.

All of the bamboo fences in the Kumamoto En must be regularly maintained, the palm rope replaced, waddle re woven. Every few years the fences must be completely replaced by Japanese craftsmen from Kumamoto and Kyoto.

Past the Oribe lantern and along the Katsura gaki, the path turns slightly to the left and the formal Shin 真 style path becomes a very natural path of rounded stepping stones set directly in the grass surface. A visitor must walk carefully, taking time to continue past the small grove of the palm-like sago plants called sotetsu 蘇鉄 (Cycas revoluta). This planting is similar to one across from the tea arbor at Katsura Detached Palace. The pathway continues with the Gyo 行 , or semi-formal style of paving.

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