Gomizunoo made use of sloping land smartly and adopted garden techinique Shakkei (making use of the surrounding landscape), borrowing landscape of Kyoto Valley and Hieizan Mountains.
Kaminoochaya is a great scale garden. Yokuryuchi is a large pond made by checking streams. There are three islands, Nakajima, Mihojima and Banshou in the pond.
Islands are connected with characteristic bridges, Kaedebashi and Chitosebashi.
They make this pond scenery more splendid.
There are two lodges, Rinnuntei and Kyusuitei, which do'nt have gorgeous
shelf or decoration.
But the two woody architectures enable us to enjoy scenery of pond, island
and hill.
When walking around the pond, new various scene comes out one after another. This is the same as Katsura-rikyu, but the scale is greater.
The two gardens are representative in Janpan.
Rin-un-tei
In the center of this photo, the blackish roof of Rin-un-tei is seen.
Rin-un-tei stands at the highest place of Shugakuin-rikyu.
Its altitude is 150m.
Avenue of Akamatsu is seen at the left hand.
Avenue of Akamatsu(Japanese umbrella pine)
This path was a narrow ridge between rice fields before 1980.
It was rebuilt into the avenue of Akamatsu so that an Imperial carriage can pass through.
Tanada (terraced paddy field)
Kuramayama mountains and Tanada (terraced paddy field) can be seen. So
this country side scenery makes our mind calm.
Tanada
Kyoto townscape is seen over the Tanada and Nakaochaya is seen at the left.
Tanada
This is a sight of southeast directin.
This country side scenery remains the atmosphere of those days in Edo-period and makes our mind calm and happy.
Bank of Yokuryuchi
The bank has three-tier structure that is seen from the center to the left of photo.
The size is 13m height and 200m length.
This large bank is built according to Gomizunoo's design.
Large pond Yokuryuchi emerged owing to checking streams.
The bank is covered with shrubs. The appearance is soft, but its inside is composed of a huge number of big stones
[Reference] When mouse over, the bank can be confirmed with sky photo (red line square).
Mountain gate
This gate shows the atomosphere of deep mountains.
Onarimon gate
Entrance of Rin-un-tei.
Visitors enter the left small door.
Yokuryuchi pond cannot be seen from here.
Panorama of Yokuryuchi and Kyoto townscape
When reaching the top of stairs, the splended view suddenly comes out. Yokuryuchi pond can be seen under our eyes.
Panorama of Yokuryuchi
The appearance of Yokuryuchi is not like artificial but like natively natural.
The concept of harmonizing the canvas of natural mountains and artificial pond is exactly amazing.
The bank on the left is an artificial structure.
Rin-un-tei
Rin-un-tei was built to enjoy the great view.
The interior is simple.
When all Toita (wood doors) are removed, wide spread view of 180 degee angle give pleasure to us.
Rin-un-tei
Rin-un-tei which has a simple structure and thatched roof was rebuilt in 1824.
Hi-Hu-Mi stones are seen on the middle and left earthen floor.
Hi-Hu-Mi means one-two-three.
Hi-Hu-Mi stone
Hi-Hu-Mi stones is seen at the entrance of wood balcony.
Hi-Hu-Mi stone
Hi-Hu-Mi stone is also seen under the eaves.
Ichinoma
Ichinoma is just simple and doesn't have gorgeous shelf or decoration.
The left 4 joh wood floor room that is surrounded by wooden doors is called Senshidai.
Senshidai
When wooden doors are removed, there is an open and borderless space between
interior and exterior.
Senshidai
大きな板が敷かれた空間です。
Senshidai means a terrace where the host and guests create Japanese poems
while looking at the seasonal scenery around.
Garden of Rin-un-tei
This garden is located at north east of Rin-un-tei.
Takimi Toro and Otaki fall
After going down some stone steps from the garden, Takimi Toro and Osutaki fall sill be seen.
In this season, water can't be seen at the fall.
Otaki
Otaki is a black part in the shade.
This scenery is like a mountain stream.
Water is not seen in the stream.
So it is associated with Kareszansui(dry landscape).
[Reference] When mouse over, the composite photo of falling water can be seen.
Mountain stream
This photo and former one are opposite direction at the same place.
The stream discharges into Yokuryuchi pond.
Stone bridge
Former two photos were took at this stone bridge.
Chitosebasi bridge
Chitosebashi had not been there from the beginning.
Chitosebashi was built owing to donations of Tadakuni MIzuno(member of shogun's council of elders) and others in 1827.
The abutment is built by piling cut stones.
A piece of big stone is lain on the both abutments.
The roof of Hoto-zukuri is place on the east bridge pier.
The west one is Yosemune-zukuri.
The statue of Golden Phenix stands on the top of the eaast roof.
Chitosebashi
Chitosebashi connects Nakajima isl. with Banshou isl.
。
Kaedebashi
Once this place was a ridge of hill.
The ridge was cut through and transformed into canal.
Kaedebashi is built over the canal.
So the bridge piers are very long.
There are many maple trees and beatiful red leaves are seen in autumn.
Kyusui-tei
Since Syugakuin-rikyu was founded, Kyusui-tei is the sole architecture as it was at that time.
Small stones
Small stones are placed on the earthen floor.
They are placed one by one.
This type is different from Hi-hu-mi-ishi.
Hengaku
The Tablet of Kyusui-tei is a genuine autograph of Gomizunoo.
Mizuhiki(ancient knots of special cords) is seen at the piling part of octagons.
[Refference] When mouse over, the position of Hengaku can be seen.
Room of Kyusui-tei
Kyusui-tei has only this 18jou room.
It is a simple room without decorations such as Tokonoma or Shelf.
The right corner is not Tokonoma but Kitchen.
Jodan-no-ma is the left place that is a one step higher floor from the tatami floor.
Jodan-no-ma and window
There is a piece of big long board of keyaki (Zelkova) wood under the window of Jodan-no-ma.
When all woody doors and Shojis are removed, the sight of 300degree angle will open up.
It is like a sense of floating over the pond.
[Refference] When mouse over, sight range at Jodan-no-ma is displayed.
North east side of Kyusui-tei
The right mud wall is a kitchen.
This area is the only place where is not able to be opend.
The roof is covered with shingles and Hoju(gemstone) stands on its top.
[Refference] When mouse over, Hoju(gemstone) is seen.
Yokuryuuchi pond
After going down the mountain path, Yokuryuchi appears in a wide view.
Beyond the pond, the artificial bank of 200m length can be seen.
Dobashi(earthen bridge)
After walking across Dobashi and looking back, the roof of Kyusui-tei can
be seen.
Ohunaya(dock of boat)
This is a house to preserve a boat.
The roof has a unique structure.
That is covered with cedar bark pressed down by bamboo.
Chitosebashi
After walking from Ohunaya, Chitosebashi is seen between pine trees.
Beatiful scenery appears every tens steps.
Rin-un-tei
Rin-un-tei can be seen beyond the pond and Bansyouu.
Harmony of pine, pond and Rin-un-tei arouses Japanese mood.
Hunatuki(wharf)
The vertical long stone is used for making a boat fast.
Hunatuki(wharf)
The combined two photoes show the width of Yokuryuchi.
Gomizunoo began rowing into islands from here and enjoyed wine, dinning, Waka(composing Japanes short poem), and music.
View from Nishihama
Yokuryuchi and the behind mountains show big scale scenery.
Dobashi and Ohunaya
Around Dobashi and Ohunaya, there are many maple trees and beautiful red leaves are seen in autumn.
Banshouu
This sight is viewed from south end of Yokuryuchi.
Banshouu appears like island, but it was a ridge of a mountain.
Banshouu
Gomizunoo created this beautiful scenery, while imaging the completed figure.
Therefore, he possessed considerable talent of art and architure.
Old well
At the end of the visitor tour, there was an old well by the avenue of Akamatsu.
The roof is rotting away and the well shows the atomosphere of Wabi-sabi.
