One aspect that lives quietly in a beautiful, famous garden which is that of a training place for warrior arts

The “Okayama Korakuen (or Korakuen)” that has obtained a three-star rating from “Michelin Green-Guide Japan” is a daimyo garden constructed about 300 years ago by Nagatada Tsuda under the order of Lord Tsunamasa Ikeda, lord of the Okayama Domain. The vast garden that was constructed over the course of 14 years is made so you can walk the park path while enjoying the sceneries of the several notable locations such as the “Sawa-no-ike (Sawa Pond)” where koi are made to swim as well as the rest spot “Renchiken” where successive lords of the domain relaxed.

This amazing garden that is counted as one of the top three daimyo gardens of Japan also has an aspect of being a training place for martial arts. One of the buildings that is passing on that legacy is “Kanshatei.” This location was once a place of “martial exhibition” where the lord of the domain would inspect the archery skills of his retainers. Martial exhibitions were events held to encourage the retainers to train in sword and Iai (sword drawing), horseback riding, archery, and the like. They were held for the retainers to demonstrate their progress in their daily training in front of their lord. It is said that the lord showed his interest in his retainers, the retainers showed their loyalty by improving their skills in martial techniques, and they affirmed their master-servant relationships through these sorts of functions.

This aspect of being a training place for martial arts that lives quietly in this beautiful garden continues to remain in the garden and can be observed as a hidden notable location that is highly regarded by a select few.

Think back on the past while surrounded by flowers at an archery range that became a resting spot

Immediately upon entering the garden from the front gate, if you proceed down the garden path to the left, the wooden single-story building with a tile and copper roof that comes into view is “Kanshatei.” It was burned down from war damage during the Second World War, but it was replicated with the original appearance based on detailed materials and diagrams in 1960. At that time, a ceramic cap made by Toushu Yamamoto, a living national treasure known for his Bizen ware, was used as the covering for the peak of the copper roof (canopy).

The adjacent archery range has a roofed shooting area and target area for placing targets that have been replicated in the same manner as “Kanshatei.” The distance between the shooting area and the target area is 14 ken (about 25 meters). Beside the target area remains a stone-fenced arrow-viewing mound that was constructed for the person judging the fired arrows to sit.

Additionally, slightly to the north of the archery range is a horse riding ground about 100 ken (about 1800 meters) in length. On the south side of the center is constructed the “Kankitei” where the lord of the domain watched his retainers’ horseback riding.

These are all facilities for martial arts, but because “Korakuen” was founded as a place of recuperation for the lord of the domain, each are equipped with “Ochaya” for the lord to rest or lodge.

Furthermore, in vicinity of the archery range and horse riding ground are “camellia fields,” “chrysanthemum fields,” and “peony gardens” that were planted when the garden was founded. In addition, rows of Yoshino cherry trees bloom to produce an elegant atmosphere from season to season.

Today, the archery range is equipped with seating and is made open as a rest stop. It is also amusing to take a seat and direct your thoughts towards the warriors of 300 years past.