In Roji-en

From the Garden Manager: Morikami’s Great Horned Owls

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Over the past few weeks a little family has made its home in Morikami Park. Heather, our Resource Development Supervisor (who heads up the garden team) took some time to tell us a little about this amazing animal – the great horned owl. Read up on these stunning creatures below, but if you come to visit be sure to give them their space. They are wild animals after all, and they need the peace and quiet of this place just as much as you do. Morikami’s Great Horned Owls By Heather Grzybek, Resource Development …

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Guest Post: Four Masterpieces Joined by the Spirit of Water

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Water 水 falls from above, and from below, 水 falls Four Masterpieces Joined by the Spirit of Water By Susanna Brooks, Curator of Japanese Art It is summer, and the rainy season is upon us at Morikami. Rain falls practically every afternoon. The sky becomes dark and the rain falls fast and heavy, culminating into torrential downpours that draw everyone to the windows to take in the stunning, mesmerizing view of water falling from the sky and cascading down the rain chains, nourishing the plants, and dislocating the pebbles in …

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The Lanterns of Roji-en

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Toro (literally “light basket” or “light tower”) originated, like many elements of traditional Japanese architecture, in China. Originally, lanterns were only used in Japan to line the paths of  Buddhists temples. Stone lanterns were eventually popularized during the Momoyama period (1568-1600) by tea masters, who used them to decorate their gardens. Many different types of lanterns can be found throughout Roji-en. Some are strategically placed just downstream from a waterfall, overlooking a water feature, or lining a path, but all serve mostly as decoration. Here are a few common styles …

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Lantern Festival In the Spirit of Obon 2014

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What is Lantern Festival? Last year, Morikami’s much-loved summer event, Bon Festival,  evolved into Lantern Festival: In the Spirit of Obon. In an effort to protect the safety of Morikami visitors and staff, we moved the event out of the often inclement and even dangerous Florida summer months. While Obon is a traditional and religious Japanese holiday celebrated exclusively during the months of July and August, we have preserved the essence of Morikami’s much-loved event and the sanctity of Obon as it is celebrated in Japan, with Lantern Festival – a unique Fall celebration. The 2013 Lantern …

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Emi & Katsu’s Hatsume Top Five

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For those of you in the mood for a countdown, Hatsume is just two weeks away! We’re excited to share this uniquely spring celebration with you all, and our Hatsume mascots, Emi and Katsu, can’t wait to tell you about what we’ve got in store. We’ll hand over the reins to lovely Emi now as she presents: Emi & Katsu’s Hatsume Top 5! #5: Spring Morikami Style Katsu and I love to stroll through Roji-en on a festival day! The gardens are buzzing with excitement, especially when Roji-en is in …

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