KAIRAKUEN GARDEN

One of the Three Great Gardens of Japan, located in Ibaraki Prefecture about 100 km north of Tokyo. It was built some 180 years ago by Tokugawa Nariyuki, the feudal lord of the Mito domain, as a place of enjoyment for and with the general public. The gardens are always filled with seasonal flowers, but especially noted are the sweet-smelling plum blossoms that can seen in late February to March. During this season, Kairaku-en draws thousands of visitors eager to bask in the beauty of 3,000 plum trees of some 100 varieties. The inscription on the stone monument reads “Iccho Isshi.” This translates to “tension and relaxation,” meaning that studying diligently and having fun are equally important. This philosophy is reflected in the Kodokan, the Mito clan’s school built across from Kairaku-en around the same time. I shall have to study a little harder when I get home after enjoying the plum blossoms so much.