Commentary by Garden Supervisor Tadakazu Saito
Profile of Tadakazu Saito
Tadakazu Saito, born in 1939, is a garden designer and garden historian. After graduating from Tokyo University of the Arts, he studied under Mirei Shigemori from 1963 and turned independent in 1975. He has designed and restored traditional gardens in various parts of Japan, and his many achievements include the designing of Ueda-ryu Wafu-do and the restoration of Joeiji Temple’s Sesshu Garden in Yamaguchi Prefecture. In May 2009 he gave lectures on Shukkeien and its original designer Ueda Soko at the Hiroshima Prefectural Art Museum’s daimyo garden exhibit. Having visited Shukkeien over a dozen times since the mid-1960s, he has expert knowledge on the history and transition of the garden.
Main written work:Nihon Teien Kansho Jiten (Reference Book for Appreciating Traditional Japanese Gardens), published by Books Tokyodo
Shukkeien – A Forerunner of Daimyo Gardens
The thoughts of the daimyos and designers behind its creation and renovation
(Video length:10min. 24sec )
Koko-kyo – The bridge that symbolizes Shukkeien
(Video length:5min. 7sec )
The symbolism of tsurushima (crane islands) and kameshima (turtle islands)
(Video length:6min. 46sec )
Eiha-kyo, Shosen-kyo and Boshun-kyo – The trio of bridges leading to enlightenment
(Video length:3min. 36sec )
Yunen-jo – The most important part of the garden
(Video length:3min. 14sec )
Azumaya (arbors) – Tea pavilions for the daimyos
(Video length:2min. 33sec )
