destination-japanese friendship gardens
rosemary joles ot wanting to be late for my docent-led tour of the Japanese Friendship gardens in Balboa Park, I found myself rushing from the parking lot behind the Spreckles Organ Pavilion to this exquisite garden. It beckoned me to slow down and enjoy my journey as I walked down along the curving walkway, greeted by gently waving golden bamboo, its leaves rustling in the wind. This is an intentional feature to Japanese Garden design. Paths are curved so that you leave the rushing world behind. They are meant to hide and then reveal that something new will be happening around the next bend. Stepping beyond the main gate, known as a Torii, which literally means “bird perch,” you feel as though you have just traveled 5600 miles to San Diego’s sister city of Yokohama, Japan. You are welcomed by a traditional fountain, called shishi-odoshi which translates to “scaredeer.” Found mostly in farm and park areas, water drips inside a piece of bamboo pipe, causing it to change its pivotal point, making the bamboo thump against a rock. This action is meant to scare away deer, boar, and any other herbivores that would eat or trample a farmer’s beloved crop. A Japanese black pine tree, trained to grow horizontally and with all its needles growing up, hovers above it. Any needles being obstinate and going rogue will ceremoniously be plucked for their defiance by a skilled landscape artist. The 25-year old tree resembles a large bonsai, which literally means “planted in container.” Except this one isn’t growing in a pot. Not much taller than I am at 5' 5", a pine tree of that age is generally more than 50 feet tall. The landscape artist uses similar techniques as the bonsai sculptor, but on a larger scale. This tree will not grow taller but wider. Its tufts of needles are meant to resemble clouds in nature. The tree looks much older than it is, and is gnarled and twisted. It’s meant to illustrate longevity and the ability to survive, with the capability to push against the elements, in spite of the fact that there is wind and rain and someone around pruning it beyond its natural abilities. It seems to state “I’m going to survive.” Green moss and mondo grass grow underneath the tree and are valuable parts of the traditional Japanese garden. The value of green is that it is a calming color, giving the viewer a feeling of retreat, calmness, and serenity. Boulders are painstakingly picked, sometimes from as far away as Japan, for their striations resembling water, (to honor and symbolically water the plants), animals (I saw a mountain ram), or mythical creatures, such as Japanese dragons that are protectors and benevolent creatures in Japan’s culture. A Japanese white fringe tree in bloom gave both creatures shade. Throughout the garden, trees, shrubs, and boulders are placed asymmetrically in groups of 3, 5, 7, 9, etc. Lanterns, with various names, guide you to numerous parts of the garden. The first one you see is called oribe doro. In the past it would have been lit with a candle to let visitors know they were heading in the right direction for the traditional tea ceremony. It also alerted people that something was going to happen next. Heading toward the exhibit hall, an ornamental Japanese plum was just starting to bloom with its deep purple leaves and pink flowers. Another fountain called a sutsu bai, normally placed outside a temple or a place of meditation, is located outside the exhibit hall. Its purpose is for people to ceremoniously cleanse themselves with pure water that continually fills the stone basin. A ladle is provided. A Japanese maple was just starting to reveal itself. At the center of the upper garden is a luscious waterfall with colorful koi languidly swimming about. A pergola, draped with wonderfully scented blooming wisteria, was near the serene pond scene. This magnificent panorama transports you to a place of deep peace. At the entrance of the lower garden, a pink trumpet tree, Tabebuia impetiginosa, was showing off its clusters of pink blossoms with yellow throats, as if to herald you into the garden with its more than 200 cherry trees, azaleas, camellias, waterfalls, and exhibit halls. Springtime is my favorite time to tour the garden. I recommend contacting the garden to find out the best times to see the garden in bloom. I also highly recommend taking one of the docent-led tours. It will help you to experience the garden in a completely different way. Japanese Friendship Gardens | niwa.org
Stunning cherry tree blossoms
An astonishing 300 year old Bonsai
A highly valued Koi resembling Japan’s flag.