| Completed
in the spring of 1990, the project began three years before that with the
dismantling of a 100 year old inn near Osaka castle. This was reconstructed
in the mountains north of Kobe, along with a teahouse and a kura (storehouse).
Seven gardens of various sizes, styles and uses were built around the three
buildings. The quarter acre site is surrounded by undeveloped property making
it feel much larger than it really is. This feeling of connection to the
site was enhanced by using native plants in the garden, many transplanted
from a nearby mountain site. In this way the main garden, the one that leads
to the tea house, does not follow the pattern of a classic Kyoto style garden
but rather is "natural style". |
