Kenroku-en

Kenroku-en was developed from the 1620s to the 1840s by the Maeda clan, the daimyōs (feudal lords) who ruled the former Kaga Domain.

While the date of initial development of the garden that would become known as Kenrokuen is rather unclear, one version of the garden's origins can perhaps be marked by the completion of the Tatsumi water channel in 1632 by Maeda Toshitsune,[5] the third daimyō of the powerful Maeda clan and ruler of the Kaga Domain from 1605 to 1639, as this feature would be later incorporated into creating the garden's twisting waterways in 1822.[6]

Conversely, in other versions of the garden's inception, it is said to have originated when the 5th daimyō Tsunanori [r. 1645–1723] built in 1676 the Renchiochin house on the slope facing Kanazawa Castle, and gave its garden the name Renchitei (蓮池庭, lotus pond),[7] also spelled Renchi-tei. The garden is located outside the gates of Kanazawa Castle where it originally formed the outer garden, and covers 114,436.65 m² (over 25 acres). It began in 1676 when the 5th daimyō Maeda Tsunanori moved his administration to the castle and began to landscape a garden in this vicinity. This garden was, however, destroyed by the fire in 1759.

Not much is known about Renchitei in the years after it was named, principally as about eighty years after its creation, nearly the entire garden was destroyed by a massive fire in 1759. However, it is known from documents of the period that before the fire, the garden was often used and enjoyed by successive lords and retainers for "different banquet occasions such as viewing the moon ... enjoying colorful maples",[8] and for admiring horses.[8] Furthermore, local legend suggests that the Sacred Well of Kenroku-en – arguably the oldest object in the garden if the legend is true – suggests that:

1,200 years ago a peasant named Togoro stopped to wash his potatoes at the well. Suddenly, flakes of gold began to bubble up from the well, giving Kanazawa – meaning 'Marsh of Gold' – its name. Water from the well runs to the purification basin at the nearby Shinto shrine, and many people come to the Sacred Well for water for the tea ceremony.[9]

The Shigure-tei teahouse – constructed in 1725 – miraculously survived the fire of 1759, and it offers evidence that not only was the tea ceremony present before the fire, but more importantly so was the culture associated with this elaborate ritual as it had a significant effect on garden design. Following the fire, the teahouse continued to be used and was completely restored during the Meiji period. It can still be seen today in the Renchitei section of the garden.

The garden was named by Matsudaira Sadanobu in 1822 and literally translates as "Combined" (Ken) "Six" (roku) "Garden" (en) to mean the "Garden of Six Attributes." Sadanobu drew inspiration from the classical Chinese text "Chronicles of the Famous Luoyang Gardens" (洛陽名園記), which outlined the six attributes of a perfect landscape: spaciousness, seclusion, artifice, antiquity, waterways, and panoramas.[12] Attaining all six within one landscape was said to be difficult because they form contrasting pairs:

There are six features that make a garden outstanding. If one tries to introduce an impression of vastness, any atmosphere of quietude and intimacy will be lost; if artificial elements are introduced, any impression of antiquity will be weakened; if a lot of flowing water is introduced, distant views are not possible.[12]

The landscape design and layout of Kenroku-en can be interpreted to demonstrate how it overcomes the challenge of these contrasting attributes, and achieves balance of all six to represent an ideal landscape. Certain areas of the garden, like those around Kasumige-ike Pond, lend themselves to a sense of openness, while other areas, such as those around Tokiwaoka Hill, create a sense of seclusion.[13] Artificial elements of bridges, lanterns, and pagodas were designed to fit seamlessly into the surrounding natural elements of rock, plants, and water.[14] Panoramic viewpoints within the garden overlook the Japan Sea and Iozan mountains, while simultaneously allowing views of many of the garden's water features.[15]

Kenroku-en contains roughly 8,750 trees, and 183 species of plants in total. Among the garden's points of special interest are

• the oldest fountain in Japan, operating by natural water pressure.[16]
• Yūgao-tei, a teahouse, the oldest building in the garden, built 1774
• Shigure-tei, a rest House that was originally built by the 5th lord Tsunanori, reconstructed at its present location in 2000
• Karasaki Pine, planted from seed by the 13th lord Nariyasu from Karasaki, near Lake Biwa.
• Kotoji-tōrō, a stone lantern with two legs, said to resemble the bridge on a koto. This lantern is emblematic of Kenroku-en and Kanazawa.
• Flying Geese Bridge (Gankō-bashi), made of eleven red stones, laid out to resemble geese in a flying formation
• Kaiseki Pagoda, said to have been donated to the Maeda by Toyotomi Hideyoshi

In winter, the park is notable for its yukitsuri — ropes attached in a conical array to carefully support tree branches in the desired arrangements, thereby protecting the trees from damage caused by heavy snows.

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  Autumn image of Kasumi Pond and Kotoji-tōrō Lantern.
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  Winter image of Kasumi Pond and Kotoji-tōrō Lantern.
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  Lantern
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  Path and waterway, mid November.
• 
  Kenroku-en covered by snow.
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  Uchihashi-tei Tea House, Kasumi Pond, early May.
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  Fountain, mid November.
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  A view from the Flower-viewing Bridge, early May.
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  Flying Geese Bridge
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  Statue of Yamato Takeru
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  Pines and lanterns
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  Koi jostle together, hoping for food.
• A few selected scenes from inside the park, 2012
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  A couple admires the garden in April.
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  Flying Geese Bridge under blossoming tree in April.
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  Neagari-no-matsu (pine with raised roots)
• 
  Neagari-no-matsu (pine with raised roots)

• List of Special Places of Scenic Beauty, Special Historic Sites and Special Natural Monuments

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kenroku-en.

• Kenroku-en official website
• Japan Atlas: Kenrokuen
• Brochure, Kanazawa Castle & Kenroku-en Management Office
• "The Six Element Story", from the "Digital Archives of Ishikawa Japan" (Ishikawa Prefectural Government)
• "The Six Element Story" (Japanese version with kanji)