Shoyoen Gardens Dubbo more pics

[Petra]

The Shoyoen gardens was gifted to Dubbo by their Sister City friends in Minokamo, Japan. The garden was traditionaly designed by students from Kamo Agricultural & forestry high school. Work began Feburary 2002 planting of the first cherry blossom trees with a ground breaking ceremony by Shinto Priest, Mr Ttoshiyiuki Hasabe.3X 12mtre shipping containers from Japan filled with building materials for construction of the authentic Jurian Tea House. SHOYOEN' means strolling refreshing garden.
The pond is an important element in Japanese gardens.As a body of water it represents a sea, lake or river in nature.
within the ike live Koi fish, coloured carp known as "living flowers".

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The Tea House or Chakoya is surronded by a Japanese tea garden called Chinawa. the tea house is named 'Jurian' means happiness & long life house. Is also the name of the Japanese person who translsted William Shakespear's books into Japanese 200 years ago.Chanoyo ceremonies or 'Way of Tea' is important part of Japanese culture.

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Chouzubachi is a large carved stone water basin, which for visitors entering the tes house to freshen & purify themselves.
Hand washing setting'Tsukubi' is used bebore entering the Tea House

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Most interesting type of ancient Japanese garden is the dry stone garden called Karesansui ' means not using water. originally designed by Zen Buddhist monks in a simple way to enjoy feelings of peace & tranquility, when carefully raking the garden.

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[Petra]

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