Julian Köpke

Matsuayama Castle was erected on a hill above Matsuyama. It hadn’t been a real strategic installation. But a demonstration of power. Inside, the paths are intertwined so that no one can easily find their way around.

The buildings seem to reach the sky. Like clouds they hover above the hill.

Today our ascent at Kotohira-Gu shrine was higher and steeper than yesterday to Matsuyama Castle. Before the ascent the usual shopping street for religious and tourist needs was located. I was happy with to oil-paper umbrellas, although it was rainy today. No sun at all.

After a night that I had slept badly, the ascent had been particularly exhausting. It is a construction feature of the plants to offer the interested again and again new and beautiful aspects.

That’s why photographers take a lot of benefit there as well.

Ritsurin Garden in Takamatsu has been constructed in 16th century for relaxation of its owner. Photos can reflect little of the complexity to this park. From the main southern view point several groups of people with umbrellas could be observed crossing a wooden bridge. They probably wanted to leave the garden purposefully in this weather. Except falling raindrops no noise could be heard.

A narrow shipping street leads to Ginkaku-ji Zen temple garden. Many dealers offer all kinds of souvenirs. A merchant allowed me to take a picture of her folding fans.

The wild sea is a difficult subject of painting. So is it for a Zen garden, too. In the garden of the Ginkaku-ji in Kyoto temple I liked very much the intensity of changing aspects of a sand composition representing the wild sea.

It’s impossible to show the variety of aspects of this garden: one has to experience it. The rapidly changing variation of experiences in a confined space is a design feature of this garden.

Before leaving you look back on the beginning of the tour with these nice reflections on a slow moving water.

Castles, shrines and gardens

Zen gardens