would you believe it, there is no japanese garden anywhere here in the big city of toronto. nada! you will find the token ones in public places like the botanical gardens but only consisted of a puny stone lantern, a japanese maple tree and a pond. then for two years now, i've heard about this japanese garden in the next city west of toronto, the kariya garden. ex-man had been promising to take me there but that never happened. the now man and i were supposed to join the meet up in chicago and i was really excited when i understood that the japanese garden at the chicago botanical gardens was a definite venue; only to be disappointed because the man had some medical conflicts.
so, i told the man about that kariya japanese garden and so we drove over there this morning. soooo disappointed. not much to see and photograph. but this lantern was sort of off to a side and the red leaves and the greens showed it well. in front of this was the water basin that the man had posted.
the lantern is an essential element of the japanese garden. originally intended to guide the visitors during nocturnal celebrations, its light was also considered as the light of knowledge clearing away the clouds of ignorance. sculptured in stone and placed near water it provides an architectural element which contrasts with the natural components of the garden.
thank you for your kind visits and comments; know that they are greatly appreciated.
So jealous of your meet up! Please be sure to talk about me so I will be there at least in spirit!