~Japanese proverb, literally "Which, the ayame or the kakitsubata?"
This situation of distinguishing between the ayame and kakitsubata irises is used to metaphorically describe the difficulty in choosing between two equally beautiful or extraordinary things.
Since my Introduction to Japanese Culture sensei told us that Heian Jinguu's garden was going to have a special opening, I went after class on Friday to take advantage of the lack of admission fee. (I also needed to return to have my nokyo-cho stamped...
There was something about birds and stones...)
Lanterns with imagery of the Shijin, animal guardians of the compass directions: dragon, phoenix, tiger, and tortoise. This one displays the tortoise, if I'm not mistaken.
I'm not exactly sure what the occasion was for the free admission...
an old train car near the beginning of the garden path
The first section of the garden, on the western side, consists of a path
winding around a small stream.
The path opened out and continued around a large pond of irises and water lilies.
There are three basic types of Japanese iris: hanashobu, ayame, and kakitsubata.
Iris ensata, or hanashoubu
I think all of the irises pictured here are hanashobu,
although there's supposed to be kakitsubata in the gardens as well...
Continuing on to the central (eastern) area of the gardens...
stepping stones across the side of the east pond
a kame in the shallows
the Taiheikaku Bridge Hall
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