This summer we can barely see the sun out in San Francisco. Although we cannot complain about the probably-most-comfortable-climate here in the world, we know this is not what summer is all about. Sometimes, we still want to visit places where we can touch and feel the light and heat from the sun. It was a pleasantly warm afternoon, thus we decided to put on our comfort wear and enjoy some sunshine in the south bay. That day, we went to Hakone Gardens at Saratoga. A fabulous weather, and I, was with a gorgeous woman....
THE LOWER HOUSE was added to the Hakone Estate and Gardens in 1922 to serve as the family's summer retreat. The house had no kitchen as both cooking and eating were done in a nearby cookhouse. This building was remodeled in 1980 and thus providing a large reception room and two Cha-Shitsu, tea ceremony rooms. The reception room walls are of local redwood and remain from the original house. The orginal large stone for shoe removal stone remains at the entrance.
THE MOON-VIEWING HOUSE sits on the slope of the hill as a place of quiet retreat. From the ENGAWA (veranda), one can contemplate the beauty of the gardens and, on a warm August night, the splendor of the moon reflecting on the pond. It was initially constructed without nails in 1917. The exterior is treated to maintain the look of age. The floor is covered with tatami mats.
No comments:
Post a Comment