Tsuyama - Shurakuen Garden
Sketch of Shurakuen Garden
Whilst in Tsuyama we visited Shurakuen Garden which was once part of a much larger feudal estate. What remains though is a lovely stroll garden around several water features with many crisscrossing bridges to traverse.
The baseball courts next to the garden, alongside the cherry tree, make an interesting reflection upon the pond surface
Even the ducks have 'stroll paths'
The beautiful river of moss in the back corner of the garden.
The main waterfall of the garden.
Delicate plants soften the edges of rocks
The reflection of pines upon the stream.
When we visited the garden was hosting a religious ceremony for small children. We first spotted them as a procession across the pond carrying a white elephant statue and the children dressed in green and purple robes. Later on they returned to an area of the garden to socialise. The children were entertained by balloon animals whilst the parents partook of a tea ceremony.
It was also the perfect opportunity to dig out the paint set and observe the unique curving branch structure of the pine tree.
A number of locals were also taking the time to sit and relax in the garden, observing the pond or looking across at the ceremony. We decided to join them with a packet of rice crackers after finding a nice mossy spot beneath a pine and sakura.
Pine tree painting
