A garden at the main mansion in Edo of the Mito domain, built from the early Edo period (seventeenth century), and managed by successive lords. It was named Kōrakuen by Shu Shunsui, a former vassal of the Ming dynasty of China, and is called Koishikawa Kōrakuen to distinguish it from Okayama Kōrakuen. It is a typical daimyo garden with a pond in the center, and decorative elements spread throughout the garden which take their motifs from noted places in Japan, such as the Ōi river and Shiraito waterfall, or Chinese themes such as the bank at Lake Seiko and a full-moon bridge. This composition allows visitors to enjoy changes in scenery when strolling the undulating garden paths. Kōrakuen garden is designated a national special historic site and special scenic spot, and is located in
Japanese Garden Dictionary: A Glossary for Japanese Gardens and Their History
(C) 2010 by Ono Kenkichi and Walter Edwards. All rights reserved.
