My favorite work in the garden - climbing & pruning trees. One needs muscles, brain, balance and courage. A work that is thrilling and relaxing at the same time. Yesterday was the first time I was allowed to climb a tree in Kodai-ji. Some of the branches we took of were the size of a young tree … Continue reading Day 51 – The joy of tree pruning in Kyoto
Day 51 – Stone washing
I don't know what you do when you get home from work, but I like to spend my Saturday nights washing Yama-ishi (Mountain stones - 山石) in my bath tub. Actually, I don't like it. But they need to be cleaned so we can use them the Tsuboniwa (mini Japanese garden) which we will start … Continue reading Day 51 – Stone washing
Day 48 – Classic Kyoto: Ryoan-ji (龍安寺)
The second time I visited Ryoan-ji. The first time was with my host family back in 2010 and the visit took not longer than 15 minutes. This time I took my time, made some sketches of the stones. All the time between 2010 and now I thought the garden is over-hyped. But this visit changed … Continue reading Day 48 – Classic Kyoto: Ryoan-ji (龍安寺)
Day 38 – The cutest bamboo fence I have ever seen – Yotsumegaki (よツ目垣)
Everything in Japan has a kawaii version, I guess. This is a miniature version of the popular Yotsume-gaki bamboo fence and it is used to mark a water faucet. I have to add this to our Real Japanese garden e-Book about bamboo fences.
Day 39 – My way to work near Myoshin-ji in Kyoto
My daily 13-minute way to work is one of the best times of the day. The air is fresh from the Arashiyama mountains and Narabi-ga-oka hills, the sun shines friendly on the new day and I am happy to be alive and to learn more to become a better gardener. I pass the Myoshin-ji (妙心寺) temple … Continue reading Day 39 – My way to work near Myoshin-ji in Kyoto
Day 39 – Omikuji (おみくじ)
Many Japanese shrines sell Omikuji oracles for 100 or 200 yen. If you get one that promises you "Big luck" (大吉) or you feel that the explanation fits your situation, you usually take it home. If you find that it doesn't fit or you rather not want it in your life, you fold it, tie … Continue reading Day 39 – Omikuji (おみくじ)
Guess who was allowed to draw the gravel patterns in the Hojo garden today?
Day 37 – A dream comes true –
Putting in extra hours after work to make a dream come true: Will probably build a small tsuboniwa garden (190x220cm) for my favorite Kyoto restaurant Mamezen with a colleague and a friend of his. Here are some ideas from the on-site visit yesterday:
Day 32 – Saying goodbye to our head gardener in Kyoto
Our head gardener of Kodai-ji is leaving for a project in South Africa which will take several months to complete. This is our goodbye, I am not sure I will see him again. Within only a few weeks he has taught me so much - not only about Japanese gardens and building stuff, but also … Continue reading Day 32 – Saying goodbye to our head gardener in Kyoto
Day 30 – When the crowds are gone – After hours in Kodai-ji
The spring season special opening (春特別拝観) with extended hours and a beautiful light-up of the garden is ended yesterday at the last day of the official Golden Week. I experienced the garden today for the first time without visitors and was amazed by the atmosphere. Even the staff was gone while I did my last … Continue reading Day 30 – When the crowds are gone – After hours in Kodai-ji
90 Days in Kyoto 