Tokyo, Japan; September 2016;
During my two trips to Japan, I spent several hours exploring different gardens—strolling, photographing, and simply absorbing their beauty. Each visit proved deeply rewarding. The Hama-rikyū Garden in Tokyo's Chūō Ward particularly captivated me. A massive wall encloses this serene space, sheltering it from the city's energy. Like many parks, especially those within Zen temples, it's surrounded by fences that frame the scenery and help visitors maintain a contemplative state of mind. While Japan's cities dazzle with their architecture and urban landscapes, they pulse with crowds moving through concrete canyons and busy streets. Here, the gardens serve as essential sanctuaries for meditation and mindful presence.
Initially, I had assumed that all Japanese gardens were Zen gardens. However, in John Douglil's captivating book, "Zen Gardens and Temples of Kyoto," he presents a different perspective. He states, "There is no such thing as a Zen garden in Japanese. Rather, there are types of gardens that have been adapted to a Zen environment." These gardens may take on various forms, but they share certain fundamental characteristics: simplicity, tranquility, symbolism, and an air of elegant mystery. "Elegant mystery" - these were the words that came to mind as I strolled through the Hama-rikyū gardens.
I was captivated by the photography technique known as "slow shutter photography", which utilizes slow shutter speeds to capture stationary elements in sharp focus while blurring or obscuring the moving details (as seen in the photo above). This technique was perfectly suited for this location, so I dedicated most of my time to capturing "slow shutter" images. The teahouse situated in the middle of Shio-iri pond was particularly ideal for this purpose.
The garden also features several other tea houses, such as Matsu-no-ochaya, Tsubame-no-ochaya, Taka-no-Ochaya Nakajima no-nese. Additionally, the park boasts a peony garden, a plum tree grove, and flower fields that showcase the beauty of each season.
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