Calla at Shukkeien Japanese garden

Calla: They grow near the water.

This is a lovely garden. Though small in area, it feels much larger than it really is due to clever techniques of Japanese garden making. Different flowers are in bloom in different times of the year, giving you a chance to sense seasonal transitions. You will feel life goes on as seasons come around. 


In May this year, not many flowers are seen but the ones in the photo looked pretty and unassuming. According to a fellow guide who loves plants, they seem to be called Calla belonging to Araceae.


The garden sometimes hosts tea ceremonies. The one especially enjoyable is held at the beginning of May every year. Young girl students are in charge of picking new tea leaves growing at a small tea field in the garden. The leaves are steamed, kneaded and made into tea. 


Once something similar was conducted by the Asano family who governed Hiroshima during the Edo period when the Tokugawa Shoguns were the central authorities. 


Some years back, the practice was restored and appreciated by garden visitors and photographers.