|
|||||||||||||||||||
|
Japanese Gardens in Florida
The Morikami: Museum and Japanese Gardens
Japanese Gardens in FloridaThe Morikami: Museum and Japanese GardensAmidst the dense materialism and brand-name sprawl of the Delray Beach and Boca Raton area in South Florida, there is a soothing hidden treat to help calm visitors from the chaos of big city-like peninsular life. Welcome to the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens. Opened in 1977 and revamped in 1993, the museum now holds claim to being the sixth most beautiful Japanese gardens outside of Japan and includes a restaurant endorsed by the ever-popular food network. Delighted to hear of such a place, I made sure to check it out while on a weekend long foray to South Florida. Japanese gardens emphasize texture and sound, patterns and shapes; they create an ambience of reflection. They are calming places that coax visitors to relax and think-or not, as the case could be. Either way, they have a spiritual essence that unites human order with the natural land in a
The legacy of these gardens dates back to a fin-de-siecle business subsidiary between a group of immigrant Japanese farmers and Henry Flagler's East Coast Railroad. As their farming experiments dwindled by the 1920's, and the other migrant workers left the project, only George Sukeji Morikami stayed to tend the land. He donated his 200 acres to Palm Beach County in the 1970's for preservation in honor of the Yamato Colony (the original name of the farming community), which then gave birth the current gardens. Entrance in to the gardens is about $7 dollars for students and $10 for adults, and they are open everyday except Mondays. The friendly staff will answer any questions you may have before enjoying some prize pieces of sushi from Cornell Café (not too expensive and definitely delicious-
When you leave the main building (built in traditional Japanese style) you will be meandering through 200 acres of native Florida flora and fauna as well as introduced Japanese staples and all, of course, arranged in the traditional manner. Water, bamboo, rock gardens, orchids, ferns, Koi, and a bonsai garden assimilate the Zen vibrations of the collective walk. Most other patrons were very quiet and reflective, which gives credence to the gardens' chief designers and proprietors-when was the last time you been in a theme park full of strangers when silence was a ruling factor? Cheers to Japan for this relic.
Walking through the quiet paths and under vines and above a waterfall to the Koi pond, a peaceful jungle-like atmosphere leads the walker towards the bonsai gardens, perhaps my favorite part. Everybody remembers the Zen-like approach of Mr. Miyagi in The Karate Kid, and his focus on the art of miniature trees. It was interesting to see the wide variety they have down there-not the world's most impressive collection, but a good one nonetheless.
The gardens also host many cultural events throughout the year, and memberships are available to frequent visitors. They have seasonal festivals, host weddings, offer educational programs, and gallery exhibitions. I recommend taking an afternoon off your schedule when in Delray Beach and visit the Morikami. For information and directions:
The Morikami
|
      |
||||||||||||||||||
