Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
As I step into Nitobe Memorial Garden, I am enveloped in a sense of tranquility that washes over me like a familiar embrace. Nestled within the University of British Columbia in the vibrant city of Vancouver, this Japanese garden serves as a sanctuary of peace and serenity, a place where time seems to stand still amidst the ever-changing seasons.
Having lived in Japan for many years, Nitobe Garden holds a special place in my heart. Every visit feels like coming home, a return to the beauty and harmony of Japanese landscapes. Over the past year, I have embarked on a journey to capture the essence of this garden through the lens of my camera, witnessing its transformation with each passing season.
As the cherry blossoms burst into bloom, Nitobe Garden awakens from its winter slumber with a burst of color and vitality. The delicate petals of the sakura trees dance in the gentle breeze, casting a dream-like hue over the tranquil ponds and winding pathways.
Vibrant azaleas and irises add splashes of pink and purple, while the fresh greenery of newly budded leaves brings a sense of renewal to the landscape. It is a season of new beginnings, where every corner of the garden is adorned with the promise of life and growth.
As the days grow longer and the sun bathes the garden in its warm embrace, Nitobe Garden transforms into a lush oasis of greenery. Bushes sway gently, casting speckled patterns of shade over meandering streams, while meticulously trimmed foliage fosters a serene equilibrium.
Lively green maple leaves grace the calm ponds, their verdant hues unfolding akin to masterpieces amidst the lush greenery. This is a season brimming with richness and vigor, where vitality pulsates through every inch of the garden’s expanse.
As the air grows crisp and the leaves begin to turn, Nitobe Garden is bathed in a kaleidoscope of autumnal hues. The fiery reds and oranges of maple trees mingle with the golden yellows of ginkgos, creating a breathtaking tapestry of color that stretches as far as the eye can see.
The gentle rustle of fallen leaves underfoot serves as a reminder of the fleeting nature of beauty, urging visitors to savor every moment of this ephemeral season. It is a time of reflection and introspection, where the changing landscape mirrors the cyclical nature of life itself.
Nitobe Garden falls into a hushed silence, punctuated only by the occasional chirp of a bird or the soft trickle of water from the frozen ponds, as snow blankets the garden in a soft, white embrace.
The stark beauty of bare branches and snow-covered landscapes lends a sense of purity and simplicity to the surroundings, inviting visitors to pause and reflect on the quiet beauty of the season. It is a time of stillness and solitude, where the garden seems to exist in a state of suspended animation, waiting patiently for the arrival of spring.
As I reflect on my year spent photographing Nitobe Memorial Garden, I am struck by the profound beauty and harmony that permeates every season. Each visit feels like a homecoming, a return to a place of timeless tranquility and serenity.
And as the garden continues to change and evolve with the passing of time, I am reminded of the fleeting nature of beauty and the importance of cherishing each moment, for it is in these quiet corners of the world that we find solace and peace amidst the chaos of everyday life.
View my slideshow of Nitobe Memorial Garden in four seasons here.
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Phuong Dinh 