Feel Its Visionary Spirit of Mito-Tokugawa Clan
Mito in Ibaraki Prefecture is a place that has exercised significant influence on the trend of the times from the early modern era down to the present day. In Mito City, we recommend visiting two places: Kodokan, the old school for samurai and Kairakuen, one of the three most famous gardens in Japan; both were founded by Tokugawa Nariaki, the lord of the clan, .for discovering the legacy of the Mito-Tokugawa Clan and feel its visionary spirit.
Kairakuen Park was built by the 9th lord of the domain, Tokugawa Nariaki (1800-1860). Facing to Lake Senba, it is one of the Three Major Gardens of Japan along with Korakuen (Okayama Pref.) and Kenrokuen (Ishikawa Pref.). Different from Korakuen and Kenrokuen, whose concept was “a garden” for lords to enjoy it by themselves, Kairakuen’s concept was “a park.” Tokugawa Nariaki aimed to make this a place open to common people, not only to lords and retainers.
Kairakuen is most known for the three thousand plum trees of 100 varieties planted all over the grounds. The season for the plum trees usually last from late February to March. Throughout the year there are other flowers you can see in the park. There is a cedar and bamboo forest located on the grounds. In another area you can stroll around and see the Kirishima azaleas, wisteria, cherry blossoms, and lespedeza when they are in season.
Kodokan was an educational institution of the Mito clan, established by Nariaki Tokugawa in 1841. The aim of the institution was to train young samurai soldiers under the basic concept of the "Unity of Shinto and Confucianism, combined with excellence in literary and military arts." The purposes of the Kodokan were broadly similar to a modern university in Japan, and it offered courses in Japanese fencing, horsemanship, pharmacology and astronomy.
Kairakuen Park was built by the 9th lord of the domain, Tokugawa Nariaki (1800-1860). Facing to Lake Senba, it is one of the Three Major Gardens of Japan along with Korakuen (Okayama Pref.) and Kenrokuen (Ishikawa Pref.). Different from Korakuen and Kenrokuen, whose concept was “a garden” for lords to enjoy it by themselves, Kairakuen’s concept was “a park.” Tokugawa Nariaki aimed to make this a place open to common people, not only to lords and retainers.
Kairakuen is most known for the three thousand plum trees of 100 varieties planted all over the grounds. The season for the plum trees usually last from late February to March. Throughout the year there are other flowers you can see in the park. There is a cedar and bamboo forest located on the grounds. In another area you can stroll around and see the Kirishima azaleas, wisteria, cherry blossoms, and lespedeza when they are in season.
Kodokan was an educational institution of the Mito clan, established by Nariaki Tokugawa in 1841. The aim of the institution was to train young samurai soldiers under the basic concept of the "Unity of Shinto and Confucianism, combined with excellence in literary and military arts." The purposes of the Kodokan were broadly similar to a modern university in Japan, and it offered courses in Japanese fencing, horsemanship, pharmacology and astronomy.
