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The long brick pathway that leads to the gate of the Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden is designed to help us empty ourselves of the busyness of life and to become open to the garden experience. |
October 13th - Thanksgiving Day - west to Crowsnest Pass
| "Art is contemplation. It is the
pleasure of the mind which searches into nature and which
there divines the spirit of which Nature herself is
animated" - Auguste Rodin This quote introduces the Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden in Lethbridge, Alberta. The power of the place enfolds me as I enter. Spending almost two hours there I left feeling calmly energized. Following are some pictures and descriptions (taken from brochure): |
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The long brick pathway that leads to the gate of the Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden is designed to help us empty ourselves of the busyness of life and to become open to the garden experience. |
| Traditionally the water source for the Tea Ceremony. The wood has lightened with age and blends with, rather than distracts from, nature. This is a sign of wisdom and honour. |
Water Well |
The Pavilion |
The Pavilion is the Cultural Centre, the focal point of the garden. Built mainly of a rare cypress wood from Taiwan, the soft aromatic wood is left in its natural state. Tea Ceremonies and other events take place here during it's open season. |
| Outside the west door of the Pavilion is a dry garden like those found at Zen monasteries. This garden is like an abstract painting which the viewer interprets; limited only by her imagination. The rocks are grouped in three, five and seven, numbers considered lucky and aesthetically pleasing. (Unfortunately, I missed one of the rocks when framing the picture) |
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The second area of the garden, "Mountain and Waterfall". The water comes from Henderson Lake and is recirculated to create the third garden area - ponds, lakes and ocean view. This miniaturization exemplifies the concept of shakkei - the borrowed view. |
Sitting in the shelter I can hear the water as it burbles over the rocks, and enjoy the view from my resting place. |
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"Turtle Island" - symbol of longevity |
view from resting place |
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The five tiers of the pagoda represent earth, water, fire, wind and sky. |
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| On this rather full day, I also stopped at Fort MacLeod and the Museum of the North-West Mounted Police. This is one of the views from a corner blockhouse, taken through one of the slits in the wall. |  |
inside fort at center parade ground |
I wonder what the European settlers thought when they first saw the rockies in the distance |
