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Kotoji-lantern, a symbol of Kenroku-en, prominent against autumnal tints *Snow hanging *Cherry blossoms in spring *Winding streams in summer *Kenrokuen ParkQTVR(82k) *Kenrokuen ParkQTVR(174k) *Kenrokuen ParkQTVR(345k) You can watch the panoramic view of Kenroku-en, including Kotoji-lantern, with QTVR. |
KENROKUEN PARKDesignated as a "Place of Scenic Beauty" on March 20, 1985Size: 104,915 square meters Commissioned by: Maeda Tsunanori and others Period: 1676-1850's Managed by: Ishikawa Prefecture Its tasteful atmosphere and beauty of garden throughout the four seasons It is one of the three most beautiful walk-around style gardens in Japan, the other two being Kirakuen in Ibaraki Prefecture and Korakuen in Okayama Prefecture. Its name derived from the Chinese book, Rakuyo Meienki (Famous Park Chronicles) by a poet in the Sung period in Anceian China, and means the garden (en) furnished (ken) with six (roku) elements of vastness, seclusion, artifice, antiquity, flowing water and majestic views. Named by the lord of Shirakawa in Oshu, Matsudaira Sadanobu, the park has been open to public since 1874, entertaining its visitors throughout the four seasons with cherry blossoms in the spring, irises in the winding stream in the summer, red leaves in the autumn, and yuki-tsuri (snow hanging) of golden cones against the sky in the winter. The famous Kotoji-doro (Kotoji Lantern), named after a koto-bashira, or koto string supporter, which the stone lantern resembles, stands on Kasumiga- Ike (Mist Pond). Yugao-Tei (Moonflower Cottage) built by the 11th lord Maeda Harunaga in 1774, is the oldest building in the park. As the name indicates, the moonflower tracery is seen on the wall of its waiting room. And the work of snow- hanging begins from November 1st every year as one of the wintry features in Kanazawa. It took almost 200 years to co mplete It is said that history of Kenrokuen began in 1676 when the fifth lord Maeda Tsunanori laid out the garden by building the Renchiochin pavilion, tea-ceremony rooms, and gazebos on the slope facing the castle. Called Renchi-Tei (Lotus Pond Garden) then, it was destroyed by the big fire in 1759, reported as the worst fire during the Maeda's reign. Maeda Harunaga, however, had the garden rebuilt in the 1770's and the 12th lord Maeda Narinaga developed the garden on the Chitose-dai leading to Kodatsuno Hills, got a winding stream in the his retreat, Takezawa Villa, made Ganko Bashi (Flying Geese Bridge), and raised Shichifukujin Yama (the Hill of the "Seven Gods of Good Fortune"). The 13th lord Maeda Nariyasu destroyed Takezawa Villa and continued to develop the garden to blend it with the old Renchi-Tei into the present magnificent Kenrokuen Park. |