File:Bjh42 Yedo TycoonGarden.jpg

English: THE TYCOON’S SUMMER GARDENS AT YEDO. MR. LEIGHTON remarks with reference to the Japanese—“They seem fond of sensations, the sweet, the soft, and pretty is heightened by the grotesque, yet all in harmony.” In all their gardens and grounds there is a great similarity of ornament; miniature lakes of more or less capacity, will trimmed lawns of smooth green turf—varieties of quaintly trimmed shrubs, and trees tortured into queer shapes, imitating junks under full sail, candelabra, tortoises, cranes and other objects, abound. The graceful bamboo, the more stately forest trees, shrubs with variegated leaves, alternate with clusters of azaleas, and bright flowers in profusion. Pretty little tea-houses—bridges spanning artificial ponds where gold-fish are kept—platforms also projecting into these little lakes, where anglers may amuse themselves; and trellis-work arbours with vines and creepers trained over them, are not wanting in this quiet retreat of the Tycoon. There is one part of these gardens set aside for hawking—a sport which is reserved for the higher and privileged classes in most parts of Japan, and is limited to the Tycoon alone within his domain—so much so that no private individual may even keep a falcon.