Die Gärten Kyotos im Wandel der Jahreszeiten - Photos von Mizuno Katsuhiko

On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the twinning of Cologne and Kyoto, we are showing color photographs by Mizuno Katsuhiko that bear impressive witness to the beauty and uniqueness of Kyoto's gardens in the changing of the four seasons.

The roots of Japanese garden art can be found in Kyoto. Even today, in the city and its surroundings, one can admire outstanding examples of different types of gardens, such as pond gardens, tea gardens, or gardens that can be walked through with pleasure. For many centuries, the harmonious composition of plants, stones and water into perfectly shaped natural landscapes has been highly appreciated not only in the religious sphere (temple and shrine complexes), but also in the secular context (imperial palace, Villa Katsura, palace complexes).

With the introduction of Buddhism in the sixth century, garden culture from China and the Korean peninsula also reached Japan. Following the Chinese legend of Mount Penglai (Jap. Hôrai), pond gardens were created on which boat trips were also made. At the beginning of the Heian period (794- 1192), a special style of palace architecture developed, whereby the extensive pond gardens reached their perfection. In the Kamakura period (1192-1333), the samurai class emerged and large-scale pond gardens as well as medium-sized transformation gardens with a pond in the center became increasingly popular. Finally, with the introduction of Zen teachings, gardens evolved from places of pleasure to places of meditation and spiritual cultivation.
During the Ônin War (1467-1477), not only numerous gardens but also manorial residences were destroyed by conflagrations, resulting in the emergence of dry landscape gardens. The splendid culture of the subsequent Momoyama period (1583-1602) also influenced garden art, and grounds with imposing arrangements of stones and rocks were created.
In the Edo period (1603-1868), when political stability had arrived, gardens of noble beauty, such as those found at imperial residences, as well as sublime dry landscape gardens were built on temple grounds.

Photo Enri-an Temple in Autumn © Mizuno Katsuhiko