In A Japanese Garden

Posted byRebecca BuddPosted inButchart Gardens, LadyBudd, Matsuo Bashō, Sunday Evening ReflectionTags:, , ,

“Every day is a journey,

and the journey itself is home.”

 Matsuo Bashō

Gardens create moments of serenity in the midst of a chaotic world. They invite us to find peace, encouraging us to let go of our stresses and worries. The sights and sounds of nature are distilled, not amplified.

Like all great art, gardens reveal their secrets gradually as we align our hearts with the rhythm of nature.  I invite you to join me in stroll through the Butchart Japanese Garden and be transported to a place where time stands still.

Matsuo Bashō is Japan’s most famous haiku poet.  He developed the haiku form during the Genroku Period, which is known as the pinnacle of the Japanese Renaissance.

“How I long to see
among dawn flowers,
the face of God.”

Matsuo Bashō

“Hidden and unknown
Like the new moon
I will live my life”

Matsuo Bashō

Published by Rebecca Budd

Blogger, Visual Storyteller, Podcaster, Traveler and Life-long Learner

48 thoughts on “In A Japanese Garden”

  2. thank you for sharing your tour of this delightfully tranquil spot. love that “deer scarer” fountain.

    ▪◾◼◾▪▫◽◻◽▫▪◾◼◾▪▫◽◻◽▫▪◾◼◾▪
    ▫◽◻◽▫▪◾◼◾▪▫◽◻◽▫▪◾◼◾▪▫◽◻◽▫

    Liked by 3 people

    1. I loved that fountain too, Graham. It was in a secluded area, which could have easier been missed. That is the charm of Butchart Gardens – there is always a hidden gem waiting to be discovered.

      Liked by 2 people

  3. That is indeed a heartfelt calming of the soul! Thank you for taking us with you in this precious garden, along with the beautiful poems by Matsuo Bashō.
    PS: We have a Japanese garden here in our city too, but it is not even close to this one!

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Thank you Alaedin for your lovely comments. It was a grand day – the rain made it even more special. Sarah and I were chilled but the hot chocolate, at the end of our walk, was a great way to get warm. One day I would like to visit the gardens in winter when all seems to be at rest waiting for spring to arrive. Your visit is very much appreciated.

      Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you, Dave for your heartwarming comments. Sarah and I had a wonderful time going through the garden. We were soaked by the time we went back to join Frances for hot chocolate at the Butchart Gardens cafe.

      Liked by 1 person

    1. How wonderful to have the Fab Four of Cley travel virtually across the “Pond” to join me at Butchart Gardens. Robert and Jennie Butchart came in 1904 to build a cement plant on a rich limestone deposit at Tod Inlet on Vancouver Island. By 1912, the limestone was exhausted. That is when Jennie decided that they should go into gardening and the rest is history. A reminder that life evolve in unusually ways. Sending hugs and love to my dear friends, the Fab Four of Cley!!

      Liked by 2 people

    1. Many thanks for joining me in the garden, Marian. I think that you have visited the Butchart Gardens so you will understand that visitors can wander through the pathways for hours and still not see it all. Thank you for sharing this moment.

      Liked by 1 person

  8. The beauty of haiku poetry is undeniable, with its purposeful time reducing of getting to the point instantly and effectively. I have to assume that in Japanese it does exactly that, but not understanding the language, I can only assume as at times I feel that the feeling and or meaning of its message sadly loses something in translation. Alas, as a scribbler, I’m sorry to admit this rather short coming of mine.

    Jean-Jacques

    >

    Liked by 3 people

    1. I am delighted that you joined me at the Butchart Gardens, Jean-Jacques. I agree that a literal translation from Japanese to English is doubtful based on the structural differences between the two languages.

      This is why languages must be preserved. February 21, 2022 the UN stated that around 3,000 languages could disappear by the end of the century,at a rate of one every two weeks. (https://www.iesalc.unesco.org/en/2022/02/21/a-decade-to-prevent-the-disappearance-of-3000-languages/#:~:text=On%20February%2021%2C%20the%20UN,of%20indigenous%20peoples%20to%20future)

      What a loss that will be. Each language has ideas, feelings, values held in words that cannot be fully translated.

      I am so glad that you are a “scribbler” a lover of words.

      Liked by 1 person

    1. I took videos of our travels to Victoria earlier this year. We were hoping for a sunny day when we visited the Butchart Gardens, but the rain seemed to give a marvelous sense of spring. What made it enjoyable were the umbrellas that were available for visitors. They were completely clear so that the we were able to view the entire garden even when we were shielded from the rain. Thank you for joining me from afar!!! Very much appreciated.

      Liked by 2 people

    1. Many thanks Deborah for you lovely comments. I was looking through my videos on my iPhone which threatens to use up all my space (time to de-clutter), and found these photos. My gratitude goes to those who have created the technology to capture wonderful moments so that we can relive them again via photography/videos.

      Liked by 2 people

    1. So very well said, Neil. I have often wondered if the oxygen levels are elevated because my breathing becomes easy, more calm. I am delighted that you joined me on the path. Vancouver had an early snowfall when I posted this so it felt good to know that spring will come again. Now, I look forward to long nights of reading and drinking tea!

      Liked by 2 people

    1. I am delighted that you joined me on a rainy day at the Butchart Gardens, Colleen. I am reminded of your haiku “Spring Again.”

      spring day
      dark clouds release
      rainfall

      It was a very rainy day when Sarah, my sister, and I walked through the Butchart Gardens. But it seemed a perfect way to celebrate the coming of spring.

      Liked by 2 people

  15. This post is actually outstanding! ! I am sure I commented elsewhere, but I want to add here that this peaceful video with all the lovely trees, flowers and pathways is actually very tempting and I would like to take this walk with you sometime. We who live in Vancouver and near to Vancouver Island are very near to outstanding vistas. Thank you for sharing, I wish that I had these lovely scenes saved someplace with my special videos.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Wasn’t this a a great day at Butchart Gardens, Frances. Sarah and I were soaked by the time we joined you and Don for hot chocolate. Next year, we will be back in Victoria and we will walk this path again.

      Liked by 2 people

  17. Absolutely gorgeous! I remember going to a Japanese Garden when I lived in Vangroovy. I wonder if it was the same one?
    The Haiku is a perfect touch, Rebecca!

    My N’s mom was Japanese, 1st generation born in Canada. Her older sister went to Japan to study Ikebana under the Master. She earned a lot of accolades and title. She taught the art in Canada. About 10 years ago the Master at that time came to Toronto to show and teach at the Japanese cultural centre. She was the honoured host. It was a magic day! Hugs!

    Liked by 3 people

    1. I have been fascinated by Ikebana, Resa. I read that Ikebana means “giving life to flowers.” How wonderful to able to see a Master teach this art form. Japan’s influence is seen throughout Vancouver. In fact, Vancouver’s sister city is Yokohama, Japan. Burnaby’s sister city is Kushiro, Japan. Your comment reminded me of the Tancho Crane sculpture on Burnaby Mountain. Isn’t it wonderful to live in a world filled with marvelous diversity.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Yes, a diverse world is wonderful.
        OMG… I had to look up Toronto’s sister cities. We have 4: Chongqing, China – Frankfurt, Germany – Chicago, USA – Milan, Italy –
        Off to check out the link!

        Liked by 2 people

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