Gary I.
Yelp
San Diego and Yokohama, Japan have been first sister cities to each other since 1957. The Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park is an extension of the cultural exchange between the two cities as well as referencing the Japanese Tea House & Garden built for the Panama-California Exposition in 1915.
"After the Exposition, the city of San Diego no longer wanted responsibility of maintaining the Tea House & Garden so the Asakawa family was hired from 1914-1941." The Asakawa's were accused of no crime, unconstitutionally encarcerated and sent to U.S. concentration camp in 1942 due to World War II "hysteria" with Japan. Consequently, the tea house & garden were destroyed.
The Japanese Friendship Garden is named 三渓園 San-Kei-En in Japanese which means "three valley garden" in Japanese. It is named after the three scenic landscapes celebrated in Japanese culture: water, pastoral and mountain.
There is the original San Kei En in Yokohama. The San Diego version is a hybrid of Japanese and local Socal drought adapted plants in a small valley so the garden paths meander in a slow decline going in.
Once past the pay entrance, flat path is flanked by lush plants similar to Japanese water loving plants leading to a small pavilion similar to a "tea house" displaying Japanese objets d'art with wonderful picture windows framing a classic Karesansui Zen Buddhist garden using strategically placed rocks, gravel, sand for contemplation.
There are Water features; fierce statue of Kongō Rikishi, Guardian of the Buddha; small Koi pond; exquisite Bonsai miniature trees Japanese & Californian Mediterranean climate plants surrounding this small pavilion.
Walk farther and there is a formal gate where the meandering declining path with plantings more appropriate for our dry Mediterranean climate show different natural landscapes to please the eye.
Looking down into the valley; walking on bridges over dry & wet stream beds; encountering the statue of Kannon, Goddess of Mercy, who originally was Avalokiteśvara in Indian Sanskrit.
He is a Bodhisattva who embodies the compassion of all Buddhas. As his fame spread along with Buddhism, he became figuratively Trans female in various cultures. Nothing is new under the sun when it comes to human behavior.
At that bottom of the valley, there is a large pavilion with a gift shop surrounded by a large Koi pond witH Koi of unusual color and fins, and a vast garden. After this, you climb back up to conclude the visit to the Japanese garden.
The whole garden is meant to be taken in leisurely w/ contemplation and appreciation of growing things. Give at least an hour to mindfulness.
Because of non-Japanese, drought resistant plantings, don't expect a "pure Japanese garden" experience. I appreciate the garden designers who had the foresight to anticipate climate change years ago. 4 stars
