J.L. Van Klaveren, Director, Service de l'Aménagement Urbain
JGarden Description:
Located in a public park, between the beaches of Larvotto and the Palace of the Congresses (Grimaldi Forum).
A voir aussi, le jardin japonais du nouveau Sporting d'ete: accessible aux clients du restaurant-discoteque.
Other Description:
From J.L. VanKlaveren:
Of refined beauty, this new garden planted in the heart of the Principality
was designed, at the request of H.S.H. Prince Rainier III, by the landscape
architect Yasuo Beppu, Winner of the Flower Exhibition of Osaka’90. Mr
Beppu has created here a veritable work of art which honours the strictest
principles stemmed from a secular tradition.
Originating from China, the concept of a Japanese Garden goes back to the
6th century. It is based on three fundamental elements : the line, the
point and the surface, illustrated here by a long path circumventing a
large lake and a waterfall.
The Japanese Garden is a stylized copy of Nature and incorporates all its
elements : mountains, hills, waterfalls, beaches, streams, lakes…The
concept of compactness comes from the Zen philosophy which advocates
Meditation as a way of seeking beauty and serenity. Structured in an
asymmetrical and near-natural way, this garden has taken more than 17
months to create.
Since the great Shintoist priest of the Dazaifu Temple, in Fukuoka, on 25th
November 1992, blessed the chosen site on the shores of the Mediterranean,
within a short distance from the Grimaldi Forum Monaco, every possible care
has been given to this garden to enable the visitors to enjoy all the
multiple facets of the Japanese landscape.
Each element in this garden has been considered in minute detail to guide
the visitor towards an inner world.
The Wall (Heï): Its line has been broken by bamboo fencing to soften the
visual rhythm. Heightened by a row of parasol pine-trees, as protection
from the sea-winds, it is adorned uphill, with soft pink-flowering cherry
trees of delicate beauty.
The Main Gate (Shô-mon) is built in the proximity of the Grimaldi Forum
Monaco. Its imposing proportions are a sign of respect towards the visitor.
The Stone Lanterns (Tôrô) of particular beauty have been placed in parts of
the garden of special interest and all present different characteristics :
crowned with a sphere which reflects the fire dedicated to the God who will
grant a wish (Kasuga), or sculptured with lotus flower petals (Yunoki) ;
others are typified by a very large roof (Yukimi), or have thirteen storeys
(Tasô-tô) ; others can be admired at the entrance to the Tea House (Rikyù),
and in the lake (Mizu-hotaru).
The Lake (Iké): With its slightly-slanting pebble beach, this vast smooth
mirror shimmers in the heart of the garden.
The Stone Fountain (Fusen-Ishi) flows towards the lake as if to wish the
Principality long prosperity.
The Covered Terrace (Kyukeïjo): with its copper roof and partly overlooking
the lake according to a tradition which dates back to the 12th century,
largely opens out onto the Mediterranean Sea.
The Bamboo Fencing (Takégaki) represents simplicity, lightness and
fragility for, according to the Japanese philosophy, although it marks a
boundary, it is nevertheless a welcoming sight.
The Islands (Shima): As complementary as two happy animals enjoying a long
life :
the tortoise, round and slow, which is setting out on a long journey
to the seven oceans is represented by the island with two pine trees.
the crane, tall and fast, which makes its nest to sit on its eggs
and thrive, is represented by the second island with only one pine
tree.
The gate of the Tea House (Cha-mon) opens onto a path (Rojo) intentionally
created for walking with little steps, a veritable cleansing path. (Note :
a fossil on the stone to the left). It leads to five water stones
(Tsukubaï) where the visitor is invited to purify both mind and body with a
ladle of water, before entering the Tea House.
The Tea house (Chatshitsu): Named the “Garden of Grace” (Ga-én) in tribute
to the Princess of Mo
My lodge is at the foot
Of the Moon Waiting Hill -
Almost I regret
When the shortening hill shadow
At length disappears.
Waga ie wa
Tsukimachi yama no
Fumoto nite
Katamuku sora no
Kage oshizo omo.
Ashikaga Yoshimasa Rokuon Jitsuroku trans. by M.V. Otake 1487
