Aug 28th, 2010
Flowers in an Abandoned Japanese Garden
Check out this video about garden flowers:
I found this old garden along a very lonely road in the high mountains surrounding Shizuoka, Japan. This area is rather remote and I have never seen another person while exploring the area, though there are several tea fields which appear well cared for. Before embarking on this particular hike I asked a man I met at the last village I passed about what I might find in the mountains beyond. He gave me a puzzled look and simply replied in Japanese that I would find…nothing. What I think he meant was that there are no people living in this area, though there does remain much evidence of people who did once call these mountains home. Abandoned houses and farms are found at intervals along the road, along with various structures such as farm sheds, carefully constructed stone walls and even a hidden Shinto shrine I spotted from across the canyon, but which I was unable to reach due to the steep cliffs and heavy brush which seem to guard the shrine from access (don’t worry, it’s in my plans to reach this shrine eventually!). Numerous trailheads can be found along the road which are marked by old machinery rusting in the dense green foliage. Each of these trails undoubtedly leads to some cleared farmland or terraces long ago cut and cleared from the mountain slopes above. I’m certain that an exploration of any one of these trails would yield a wonderful experience in uncovering the life work of a proud farmer from Japan’s past who is now gone and perhaps nearly forgotten. The …
@marblemill Thank you for watching and
sharing your thoughts about this video.
These areas are very special to me as
well and it’s great to meet others who
share this interest. I promise to do my
best to bring more and better such videos
in the future. -Kurt
Im so glad you are capturing these parts of Japan.
My favorite parts. Nature there is quite powerful which is likely not the typical thoughts of Japan!
nice and neat. . . ^^,
Thanks for the reminder.
You are very welcome.
DocGt21
Hello DocGt21,
It’s a wonderful expression either way. Thank you again for sharing this with us. I will be sure to remember (and try my best to apply) these words of wisdom.
Kurt
Hi Kurt.
Sorry my answer´s that late but I was away for my holidays.
The saying is very old and used in germany where I live. I tried to figure out more about the sayings origin, all sources available say middle europe.
There is another version that says: Built a house, have a son, plant a tree. But people seem to use it as they like; the tree and the house is always mentioned.
IMO the part about the book and/or the son could mean to give your experience to the next generation.
DocGt21
I guess the work really spoke to you too. That’s great. I do agree that the Internet is an amazing way that enables us all to share in new ways. It is the combination of our differences that is our strength. ‘nochi hodo…’ -Paul
Hello vertigoalopolus, I’m delighted that you enjoy these videos and it is my sincere pleasure to bring them to you. I have many lonely little roads yet to explore with my camera and I will be honored to have you come along via YouTube. Or if you are ever in Shizuoka then let me know as you are welcome to join me! As for Japanese I still struggle with this everyday. I’m afraid that my Japanese is really quite poor though I will always endeavor to improve. -Kurt
Hello pressmyeasybutton69,
I do indeed like especially those last few lines. I’m printing the poem now in order to take with me today and reread during my breaks at work. And thanks again for sharing this beautiful poem with us. In my opinion it is this type of sharing and interaction which makes YouTube and the Internet so wonderful. -Kurt
once again, thank you for your videos. they provide an insight to countryside that i long to visit someday. please post more of your journeys down these lonely mountain roads – absolutely fascinating.
how long did it take you to learn japanese? did you learn it before you moved to japan?
Hello Kurt,
I am glad that you were able to find a copy so quickly. I guess it’s on the web. I would imagine that you liked the 2nd to last line too: “Time is the school in which we learn.” The poem does deserve a second read or two, there is quite a bit in it. And, thank you for sharing your experiences in Japan with all of us. It is most appreciated.
Hello pressmyeasybutton69, Thank you for citing this source. I have just looked the poem up and have enjoyed my first reading. I look forward to reading it again many times as it seems to have much depth and character. Thank you again for sharing! -Kurt
Hello Kurt,
I apologize for the delay in replying.
The sentiment is from a poem by Delmore Schwartz called “Calmly We Walk Through This April’s Day.” I first came across it in the Star Trek movie called “Generations” and it really spoke to me. So, I was inspired to track the source. I am glad it spoke to you too.
Hello amydien09, I remember when I was looking at this garden and the thought struck me that the flowers must have been from the gardener, and how this man or woman’s past efforts are showing through spring after spring. It was a moving thing to consider and I am happy that I could share it with you. -Kurt
Another great video from you =)
I love the perspective you’ve had for this clip. Proof of people’s existence and symbolism through the flowers. =)
Hello superwingetjestringe, Thank you for coming along… The sounds of the mountains here are indeed very lovely and soothing. I especially enjoy hiking on rainy days when the sounds are at once strangely muffled and amplified. -Kurt
Hello splitza, I recall how seeing this garden made my day on this particular hike. I had passed it going up and had been so distracted by the lovely mountains that I had not seen the flowers. I’m glad that I spotted them on the return trip as this garden was the high point of this outing. I’m happy to hear that you liked it as well. -Kurt
Hello DocGt21, What a terrific saying. May I ask which country or region you are from and where this expression is used? -Kurt
Thank you for filming the beautiful place
I like the background noise
thank you for posting this. made my day =]
We have a saying here:
There are three things you should have accomplished in your life:
-built a house
-write a book
-plant a tree
I think that last one matches the flowers.
Great clip.
I think like your reflections over these flowers even more than the video.
Thanks for the food for thoughts.
Hello pressmyeasybutton69, What a wonderful sentiment you have expressed. Thank you so much for sharing this with us. Is this a quote and if so then I’d love to know who originally said or wrote this. -Kurt
Hello yadsik, It’s my sincere pleasure to bring this video to you and an honor to receive your kind feedback. -Kurt