4.4 Ishigaki gardens

Nationally designated Scenic Spot.

It is not open to the public every day as private property.

I took the first five pictures and the last one with my arms over the wall, some others from the building in front, also the entrance but unfortunately that sunny day there was anybody inside.

A few days before I had gone, the day was dull but at that time I was more lucky, a nice lady let me go into and visist and take pictures to the singular limestone garden.

According to a brochure from the Ishigaki City Cultural Heritage : "The Ishigaki garden is said to be laid out in 1800 by Ohama Pechin, the administrator of the Ohama district.The main building material used was Ryukyu limestone. The garden is equipped with five rock arrangements built high -hilly slop as a view point inside the garden opposite side of the house I went up- to low from north to south, a connecting stone stairway and stone bridge, a dried waterfall and an Iwajima ( an island in the pond, which consists of only rock and stones).

There are Common Garcinia and japanese Sago Palm planted in the back of the garden. While garden is based on the traditional style of japanese gardens, it displays a unique ambience rich with regional flavour" the pamphlet finishes.

NEXT : INTERMEZZO WITH "KOKIZAMI +"

4.3 Miyara Dömchi

Miyara dömchi / 宮良殿内

 

Important historical spot is the residence Miyara Dömchi. The house was built in 1819 by the Matsuhige family, who at that time ruled part of the island. 

Traditional dry landscape japanese garden within the singularity of coral stones, unique with also Ishigaki gardens, both with techniques and style transmitted from mainland during the Edo period around 1800.

Home of the Shuri government official in charge of the administration and unification of Yaeyama.

Miyara Donchi resemble the dwellings of nobles in Shuri on the main island of Ryukyu Kingdom.

Curiously after being censored by an inspection from Shuri in 1874 the roof was changed from tiles to thatched grass.  With the later abolishment of feudal lands the roof was re-done in the present red tile style.

This important cultural property is the only remaining residence of a high-ranking samurai in all Okinawa.

The samurai may have been powerful locally but Miyara Donchi was conceived on humble dimensions compared with samurai residences on the mainland.

Nevertheless it has several tatami rooms decorated with beautiful paintings connected in betwen and to the gardens.

NEXT : 4.4 Ishigaki gardens

4.2 / Kabira Bay

Kabira bay is on the northwest coast of Ishigaki island.

A Kabira bay tourist pamphlet reminds that artist Tarou Okamoto said that “a description would be difficult for any artist, no matter what kind of poetic sentiment the artist might have”.

KABIRA BAY CLIP

Light plays with all variety of greens and blues, seven scattered islands are solid spots, closing the mouth of the bay give us the idea of a lake. Amazing coral white sandy beaches do the rest and not so far as background the highest peak, Mt. Omoto, 525 mts. height (Okinawa number two ; Mount Yonaha is Okinawa number one in main Okinawa island)

Akairome Miyatori On is in Kabira bay, there is 

another Miyatori On in Ishigaki city. Long time ago it was said there was a custom for the holy maiden of the Kabira village to report once a month to the enshrined God of Miyatory On in the city about the management situation of farm products. It seem that a separate Miyatori on was dedicated to the same God of Harvest because it was too taught to left Kabira to go Ishigaki city every month for this report.

 

The surrounding waters reach 260 coral species, the highest number found in the world.
Continues services of glass bottom boats.

Clear waters.
Beautiful sea funds.

Kabira Park small shrine with a beautiful view from the top.

I visited an awamori factory.
I drank it.
I liked it.

and I met Kazufumi Tokashiki the son of the master who begun the black Pearls cultivation, nowadays he continues the family tradition with excelent results. (Greetings to Toka　san from this page).

Next : Miyara Dönchi