PORTLAND'S
JAPANESE GARDEN
by
Bruce Burnett
Japanese
gardens have a complex history dating back nearly 2,000 years. Unlike
the English landscape garden, its Japanese counterpart does not seek
to copy nature, but to present an idealized conception of it. The Buddhist
religion is a strong influence. The garden is intended as a place of
quiet reflection and hence reticence and a lack of brilliant color are
evident.
Among the essential elements of the Japanese garden are water, stones,
paths, waterfalls, bridges and sculptured ornaments. Water brings stillness
and peace to the soul and a bridge symbolizes a passage or a joining.
Portland's Japanese Garden, located in the city's Washington Park, was
founded in 1962 and is considered one of the most authentic in the world.
Visitors begin their tour at the Antique Gate by the parking lot. A
gentle, uphill path leads through natural forest to the garden's main
entrance gate. The garden is divided into five segments: the Flat Garden,
the Strolling Pond Garden, the Tea Garden, the Natural Garden and the
Sand and Stone Garden.
The Flat Garden, or hiraniwa, developed in the Edo or Tokugawa period
from 1600-1868. The plantings here denote a drinking saucer and a sake
flask signifying pleasure and a wish for the visitor's happiness. They
are surrounded by sand representing the sea. The large blue-green stone
on the left is known as the Iyo Stone, which comes from the island of
Shikoku.
The pavilion, as tradition dictates, faces the Flat Garden. The large
east deck affords a spectacular view of Portland and Mt. Hood. South
of the pavilion is a small plaza called the Sapporo Plaza, with its
drinking fountain, a gift from Portland's Japanese sister city, Sapporo.
Continuing west, three highlights of the Garden can be seen. These are:
the Poetry Stone, a polished stone inscribed with a haiku, traditional
Japanese imagist verse which translated reads "Here I saw the same
soft spring as in Japan"; an overhead trellis covered with wisteria
vines, and beyond this a five-tiered pagoda, also a gift from the city
of Sapporo.
The Strolling Pond Garden, or chisen-kaiyu-shiki, is the largest of
the gardens. The authentically designed Moon Bridge overlooks the garden's
ponds. The Reflection Pond, at the north end, features crane sculptures
while the south pond holds tortoise stones. These common symbols in
Japanese gardens denote longevity and a wish for the visitor's long
life and good health. The iris beds offer a brilliant spectacle during
their late June bloom. Up the hill, to the east, is the "deer chaser",
a traditional noisemaker for deterring wildlife.
The centerpiece of the Tea Garden is the ceremonial Tea House, or chashitsu.
It was constructed in Japan in the ancient manner using pegs and almost
no nails. The Japanese tea ceremony, originating hundreds of years ago
with Zen Buddhist monks, is performed only on special occasions. In
the interest of authenticity, the teahouse is not designed to serve
the general public.
The Natural Garden, or shukei-en, winds its way down the hill at the
south end of the garden. Here ponds, waterfalls and shallow streams
meander under tiny bridges. Native trees, shrubs, ferns and mosses surround
the winding trails. Stairs lead down to the bottom where a rambling
bamboo fence encircles the waterscape design. A tile-roofed gazebo,
or azumaya, provides the visitor with a place for rest and reflection.
The Sand and Stone Garden, or the kare sansui shiki tei-en, is the most
abstract of the Japanese landscape forms. It features the stark simplicity
of weathered rocks rising from a sand bed, which is ripple-raked to
suggest the sea. The design represents a Japanese myth about the omnipotent
Buddha looking down on seven tiny tiger cubs dying of starvation. Buddha
decided to offer himself to the cubs as food. Thus the Garden symbolizes
the infinite compassion and sacrifice of the Buddha for all forms of
life.
From the Bill deWeese Memorial outside the main entrance visitors can
get a panoramic view of the entire garden. This hilltop was a favorite
spot of the late Mr. deWeese, one of the garden's founders.
Portland's Japanese Garden is located above the International Rose Test
Garden at 611 S.W. Kingston Avenue.
For more information visit the garden's beautiful website at http://www.japanesegarden.com/.
PORTLAND'S
JAPANESE GARDEN
was first published by the Kelowna Capital News
