PLATES XXXII. AND XXXIII. 



MONASTERY GARDENS, NIKKO. 



Plate XXXII. is illustrative of the well-known garden of a monastery called 

 the Dainichi-Do, at Nikko. It is situated in a little depression and prettily 

 arranged so as to take advantage of the view of the surrounding hills and woods. 

 A few flowering trees, willows, and pines, are introduced into the grounds, which 

 are for the most part ornamented with formally clipped box, azalea and juniper 

 bushes, here and there trained into the shape of long hedges. The centre is occupied 

 by a miniature lake supplied by an underground spring of the purest water; its deep 

 bubbling pools are surrounded by rocks thickly coated with moss. A red lacquered 

 shrine, dedicated to the god Dainichi, flanks the lake, and several stone lanterns of 

 unusual shape, a miniature stone pagoda, and numerous garden rocks, are grouped 

 together on the banks of the pool. Plate XXXIII. shows the grounds of another 

 monastery at Nikko, known as the Mangwanji. A large lake in front of the main 

 building contains islands representing the crane and tortoise felicitous emblems in 

 Japanese art. Fine rocks and evergreens adorn the level areas of the garden, which 

 is bordered by clumps of old trees and thick hedges. The lower view given in 

 Plate XXXIII. exhibits the narrow inlet of the lake crossed by a curved wooden 

 bridge, at the side of which are large rounded bushes and a leaning pine-tree. 

 One or two stone lanterns and a detached summer-house may be seen in the 

 background. The lower illustration shows the waterfall, arranged in two low torrents 

 flanked by rocks, and, a life-sized stone statue of Fudo, the deity to whom all 

 waterfalls in Japan are dedicated, at the head of the cascade. Two stone pagodas 

 of different shapes may be observed on the surrounding banks, and also a shed 

 from which the view of the cascade can be enjoyed. 



