We were blessed with good weather when we visited the garden this time. The last time we planned the visit the weather wasn't really cooperating, and the Japanese Garden became Seafood City instead (see my blog on that) :-P
It is always a treat to see the Japanese Garden, regardless of the weather (well, as long as it is not too cold...). There is a nominal fee to get it, but then you get to see and 'explore' a very nicely maintained and well kept facility. You can really see the care and effort that is made to keep the area very pristine and in order.
One will notice the 'order of things' - a sense of symmetry. Or at least it felt that way.
Very nice Zen garden - would be cool to have something like this in the backyard, even if just a quarter or less of the scale.
Usually there are events being held in the place, and this time, there was an Ikebana exhibit.
Ikebana is the art of Japanese flower arrangement. And yes, they do have 'senseis' that study this art to perfection and even have classes for it.
Each item that is included in an arrangement is significant and plays a role in the overall result, from the actual flowers and to the smallest twig/stick. Positioning of the items also matter.
Ikebena exhibit in the main presentation hall.
After the exhibit we continued to browse around and enjoy the scenery. They do not allow food inside (which is actually good), but you can bring water in.
I wish they had a small snack stand outside at the least. I can imagine a concession stand that sells takoyaki, yakitori, and rolls.
Koi anyone?
This is a place that I highly recommend to visit if you are in the Portland area. The nice thing about the location too is that it is just beside the city's zoo, and the famous Rose Garden (yep, all Roses here Capt. Obvious...).
The pond looked very 'tranquil'. We were waiting for a Koi or something to jump out.
Maybe next time we'll try a Winter visit - that would seriously change the scenery, specially if there is snow!
Itterashai!
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