Koisihikawa Korakuen, A Tranquil Oasis in Tokyo

Koishikawa Korakuen garden is designed to resemble the scenery you would see on a journey from Edo to Kyoto. It includes a path through the Kiso region, a large pond modelled on Lake Biwa, the Ooi River and Togetsukyo Bridge in Kyoto, and the mountain and rural scenery of the area around Kannondo Hall of Kiyomizudera Temple, including rice fields and plum groves. It is a strolling garden with ponds and artificial hills, so varied that it is hard to believe that it is in Tokyo. You can also enjoy the scenery of beautiful flowers blooming in each season, such as cherry blossoms, rhododendrons, irises, lotus and maple leaves.

Caring First, Enjoying Later

The garden is the oldest surviving garden built by the first lord of the Mito Tokugawa family, Tokugawa Yorifusa (1603-1661, 徳川頼房), at the main residence in Edo. The garden was completed by the second lord, Tokugawa Mitsukuni (1628-1701, 徳川光圀). The name Korakuen comes from the phrase "A wise ruler should take care of the worries of the people before himself and enjoy the pleasures of the people after himself" from the Gakuyoroki, a Chinese-style essay on government.

Chinese-style Structure

Mitsukuni valued the Confucian studies that the shogunate had encouraged and invited the Confucian scholar Zhu Zhiyu, who had fled from the Ming Dynasty in China, and had him create Chinese-style buildings in the garden, including the Engetsu-kup stone bridge and the banks of West Lake. The shape of the arch of the Engetsu-kyo stone bridge is reflected in the water, making it look like a full moon. It is a finely crafted structure created using advanced techniques.

Largest Chronicle of Japan, Dainihon Shi

Tokugawa Mitsukuni was born in 1628 in the Mito domain as the third son of Yorifusa, the 11th son of Tokugawa Ieyasu (1543-1616, 徳川家康). At the age of 18, Mitsukuni was deeply impressed by Shiji, the historical work of Sima Qian, and dedicated himself to his studies. In 1657, he initiated the compilation of Japanese historical record, Dainihon Shi. In 1661, at the age of 33, he became the second lord of the Mito domain. The following year, he began a full-scale compilation effort with 20 retainers. As a result, in 1863, the Shinsenkiden, a 104-volume chronicles, was completed, documenting Japan’s history from the reign of the mythdogial first Emperor Jimmu (神武天皇) to the 96th Emperor Go-Daigo (1288-1339, 後醍醐天皇).

Even after Mitsukuni retired as feudal lord, the editing and revision of the work continued. In 1697, the Hyaku Honki, Chronicles of the 100 Emperors, was completed, covering the history of the Southern Court during the Northern and Southern Court period　(1337-1392), when the imperial court was co-existed. Emperor Go-Daigo left Kyoto for Mt. Yoshino, feeling himself in danger of attackes by Ashikaga Takauji (1305-1358, 足利尊氏), the first shogun of the Muromachi Shogunate (1336-1573), and established the Southern Court in Yoshino. 60 years later, the last Emperor of the Southern Court, Emperor Go-Kameyama (1450-1424, 後亀山天皇) relinquished the three sacred treasures to the 100th Emperor Go-Komatsu (1377-1433, 後小松天皇), marking the reunification of the imperial courts. led by the 3rd shogun, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu (1358-1408, 足利義満).

Even after Mitsukuni's death, work on the book continued, and it was finally completed in 1906 (Meiji 39), 249 years (248 full years) after he began compiling it in 1657. In early spring of 1809, a plum viewing party was held at Koishikawa Korakuen Garden, and several historians were invited by the Lord Mito Domain. The lord served sake to the guests, then picked a branch of plum blossoms, placed it in a flat dish, and composed a waka poem(Source: Daimyo Teien):

The wind blows into my sleeve as I break off a branch,
and the fragrance of the plum blossoms drifts on the spring evening breeze (Free translation)

Korakuen and Kairakuen: A Bond Through Plum Trees

In later years, the 9th lord of the domain, Tokugawa Nariaki, transplanted plum trees from Koishikawa Korakuen Garden to Mito Kairakuen Garden, which became one of the three most famous gardens in Japan in modern times. Kairakuen Garden holds a plum festival is held in early spring when around 3,000 plum trees of about 100 varieties are in full bloom. Later, as the years passed, the old plum trees from Kairakuen were planted in front of the plum grove at Koishikawa Korakuen as Returning Home Plums. Why not take a stroll and enjoy the scent of the plums that were loved by Mitsukuni, the second lord of the Mito domain, and Nariaki, the ninth lord of the domain, during the plum season?

Tokugawa Mitsukuni Timeline

1599	Tokugawa Yorifusa born	-
1628	Born as the third son of Tokugawa Yorifusa, the first lord of the Mito Tokugawa family	1
1639	Tokugawa Yorifusa died	12
1661	Became the second lord of the Mito Domain	34
1665	Started compiling the "Dai Nihonshi" (Great History of Japan)	38
1690	Completed the Koishikawa Korakuen Garden	63
1691	Founded the Shokokan (historical research institute)	64
1700	Retired, relinquishing the position of lord	73
1701	Focused on compiling the "Dai Nihonshi"	74
1701	Passed away	74
1863	Completion of 104 volumes of "Shin Sen Kiden" (New Selected Biographies)	-

Recommendations to visit