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The Japanese Garden called Shomu-en The Japanese Garden at Cheekwood was designed by New York City's David Engel. It is called Shomu-en which means the "pine-mist garden." The "mist" is created by the puffy flower heads of smoke trees planted between the hills and pruned to remain low. This gives the illusion of fog rising from the valleys, a scene very common in Tennessee. The images on this page were taken during peak time for blooms and vibrancy in the plants and trees. It is worth the entrance price to Cheekwood to see this beautiful garden gem. One of the master gardners working on Shomu-en was bonsai master, Ben Oki, of California. He carries the torch of traditional technique from his mentor John Yashio Naka. Naka's books, Bonsai Techniques 1 and Bonsai Techniques 2 are the only books about bonsai you will every need to gain knowledge, technique and essence of the bonsai art. In Japan, the garden is a refuge from the outside world, a place of serenity and meditation often associated with a shrine or temple. Unlike Western gardens, a Japanese garden is mainly green or has very limited color. Some Zen gardens may be entirely rocks and gravel and have only mosses or no plant material at all. MORE LINKS TO GERBER'S HORTICULTURE WORLD |
The Nashville Bonsai Society is hosted by Cheekwood |
May 18th, 2003
Photography realized by Heather and Tony Gerber unless noted otherwise.
(This page contains many photos and will take longer to load on slower internet connections.)
