Japanese Garden
The Japanese Garden was
almost certainly the result of Alan de Tatton’s visit to the
Anglo-Japanese Exhibition at the White City in London in 1910.
Inspired by what he saw there, Alan de Tatton decided to
introduce a Japanese garden to Tatton. A team of Japanese
workmen arrived to put together what is now rated to be the “finest
example of a Japanese Garden in Europe.”
The Shinto Shrine and artefacts contained within the garden are
all reputed to have been brought from Japan especially for the
construction of the garden.
The garden itself is in the style of the tea garden which does
not reflect the strict discipline of other Japanese styles, e.g.
the dry garden or the stroll garden. In this form of art, the
Japanese portray many scenes, both mythical and factual, but all
must harmonise with nature. The important elements of plants,
stones and rocks are carefully placed to produce a natural
balance.
Stones and rocks are selected for their form, particularly their
representative shape. It is not unusual for a mound to be built
capped off with white stones representing the sacred snow-capped
Mount Fuji, the most important mountain in Japan. Lanterns come in
all shapes and sizes having different functions such as the
specially shaped snow viewing lanterns, designed to trap as much
snow as possible on the top of the lantern to add to the beauty of
the garden in Winter.
Flowers as such are not given as much consideration, however
tree shapes are of great importance and as a result pruning
techniques are critical and take many years to develop. This garden
uses many Japanese Maples or Acers which you would not always find
in the true Japanese gardens. Attention is always paid to the form
and shape of the plants as can be seen from the Bamboo at the west
end of the garden. Many evergreen plants are also included here
which add to the winter interest.
The garden was restored in 2000/2001 for the Japan Festival and
was the result of over 14 years of research with input from various
Japanese specialists. The project restored the garden to its
original state when first created for the Egerton family in
Japanese ‘style’ with a heavy western influence.
Viewing the Japanese Garden
Please note that the Japanese Garden can only be viewed from its
perimeter unless on a guided tour held Wednesday and Saturday
at 1.20pm and 2.20pm. A small charge applies. Book at
the entrance to the Garden on the day. (Tours are weather
permitting. We reserve the right to cancel tours at short
notice).