world reviewer
Katsura is a masterpiece of Japanese garden design. It was built for Prince Toshhihito (1579-1629) and he is believed to have been the main designer. He made a lake, hills, islands, beaches and 16 bridges. The result was a pleasure landscape of the kind described by Lady Murasaki in the Tale of Genji, 620 years earlier. The garden was designed not Zen Buddhist and for courtly pleasures. Its elegance, balance and harmonious restraint charm all visitors – and the integration of architecture with landscape is brilliant.
Written by 
Tom Turner.
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