zen and gardens

continuing on from the last post

the prayer flags to date

April and May has one flag – I was in Japan and short on time

the cranes are hanging inside , out of the wind and rain

October’s flag, Abundance

the harvest basket idea comes from the work of Ayako Miyawaki

today, after a cloudy start the sun made an appearance

and grandson Iain and I went on a garden viewing excursion

he is working on a school project of his choosing

“Zen and Japanese gardens”

we were all a little surprised at his choice – but….

first we visited the Inazo Nitobe Memorial Garden at the Royal Jubilee Hospital

Nitobe was a Japanese statesman who died at the hospital in 1933

the small garden has a water harp chamber – sui-kin-kutsu

which we couldn’t find

but I’m going back to do some research

then it was on to the garden at Robin Hopper’s Pottery

and Hatley Park/ Royal Roads Japanese gardens

(my mother took me here as a child)

now designated a National Historic Site

construction of the Japanese gardens started in 1908

with a tea house on the small island in the man-made lake

and then one last stop at my favorite garden center

to see their tiny water feature

Iain is planning a tsubo niwa or courtyard garden

which traditionally measures 3.3 square metres or the size of two tatami mats

a good day of homework

now it is decision time and some hard work

at home, bravely growing in the sidewalk

my own mini garden