The clipped garden at Chōfuku-ji seen from a tatami room through shoji and glass doors, a vermilion pillar, and the garden beyond the glass at the corner of the shoin

006

The tea garden of Chōfuku-ji temple

Home/Works/No.006

Location
Funabashi, Chiba
Type
Garden & water
Category
Gardens / Ponds & water / Japanese gardens

From the veranda of the main hall, the wooden frame captures a garden of layered, clipped shrubs.

Chōfuku-ji is a temple with a long history, founded in the late Kamakura period on the site of Yakigaya Castle. Yakigaya Zouen has cared for its gardens since the previous generation.

Chōfuku-ji is a temple with a long history, founded in the late Kamakura period on the site of Yakigaya Castle. Yakigaya Zouen has cared for its gardens since the previous generation.

The tea garden of Chōfuku-ji temple, photo
The wooden corridor is polished to a shine, and at its corner the walls are glass doors throughout. The view runs from the corridor all the way to the woods beyond, and the plants, framed by the wooden door frames, look vivid.
Beyond the tatami room, its bamboo blinds raised, a sweep of green.

LeftThe wooden corridor is polished to a shine, and at its corner the walls are glass doors throughout. The view runs from the corridor all the way to the woods beyond, and the plants, framed by the wooden door frames, look vivid.

RightBeyond the tatami room, its bamboo blinds raised, a sweep of green.

The tea garden, or chatei, opens out toward the tea room. Here stands the machiai, a roofed bench where guests wait to be greeted by the host before the tea gathering. From the main hall, the garden is seen from a different angle than from the corridor.
The tea garden, or chatei, opens out toward the tea room. Here stands the machiai, a roofed bench where guests wait to be greeted by the host before the tea gathering. From the main hall, the garden is seen from a different angle than from the corridor.
Near the tea room we made a tsukubai, a low stone water basin where guests wash their hands and rinse their mouths. It is a symbol of purification, and a trace of Buddhism, from which the way of tea arose.
Through the lattice of a round window, a glimpse of the tea-garden path.

LeftNear the tea room we made a tsukubai, a low stone water basin where guests wash their hands and rinse their mouths. It is a symbol of purification, and a trace of Buddhism, from which the way of tea arose.

RightThrough the lattice of a round window, a glimpse of the tea-garden path.

The inner garden between the residence and the tea room.
The inner garden between the residence and the tea room.
Koi swim in the pond.
Koi swim in the pond.
Open the glass doors, and a fresh breeze carries the sound of the pond into the room; near the water, saxifrage blooms quietly. Through a bamboo garden gate and along a path of stepping stones lies a large pond.
A carefully kept space that draws on nature and Japanese culture conveys the depth of the Japanese garden. We design tea gardens of many kinds, from those rooted in traditional Japanese culture to those that suit the site and the client's own style.

LeftOpen the glass doors, and a fresh breeze carries the sound of the pond into the room; near the water, saxifrage blooms quietly. Through a bamboo garden gate and along a path of stepping stones lies a large pond.

RightA carefully kept space that draws on nature and Japanese culture conveys the depth of the Japanese garden. We design tea gardens of many kinds, from those rooted in traditional Japanese culture to those that suit the site and the client's own style.

“In spring, when the Beni-azuma comes into bright red flower, the contrast with the fresh green is beautiful,” says the head priest. The main hall stands ahead.
“In spring, when the Beni-azuma comes into bright red flower, the contrast with the fresh green is beautiful,” says the head priest. The main hall stands ahead.
In mid-May, as new growth gathers strength, the azaleas have finished and the rhododendrons are in bloom. In the tea garden, where azaleas, satsuki, rhododendrons, a persimmon and camellias layer their vivid greens, a short walk outdoors prepares guests in spirit for the tea gathering.
On the stone paving of the temple grounds, a round water bowl with floating lotus.

LeftIn mid-May, as new growth gathers strength, the azaleas have finished and the rhododendrons are in bloom. In the tea garden, where azaleas, satsuki, rhododendrons, a persimmon and camellias layer their vivid greens, a short walk outdoors prepares guests in spirit for the tea gathering.

RightOn the stone paving of the temple grounds, a round water bowl with floating lotus.

From the corridor to the main hall. The hall's garden-side windows are made of frosted glass and wooden lattice doors; open the lattice, and the garden appears through a flame-shaped window.
From the corridor to the main hall. The hall's garden-side windows are made of frosted glass and wooden lattice doors; open the lattice, and the garden appears through a flame-shaped window.

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