By Harukawa Film Works

In this tranquil and visually poetic video by Harukawa Film Works, viewers are immersed in the serene beauty of Kyoto during springtime. Titled "Kyoto Spring Garden Scene 2," the video takes us through three iconic Japanese gardens renowned for their seasonal elegance and historical significance: Nanzen-ji Hojo Garden, Funda-in, and Chishaku-in.

Beginning at Nanzen-ji Hojo Garden (南禅寺方丈庭園), the camera glides through this Zen temple's dry landscape garden, offering a meditative experience. The interplay of light and shadow across the moss and stones evokes the essence of Kyoto's wabi-sabi aesthetic. This garden, originally designed during the Edo period, invites quiet reflection amidst its carefully raked gravel and sculptured pines.

The video transitions to Funda-in (芬陀院), a smaller sub-temple of Tofuku-ji known affectionately as the 'Lotus Temple.' This less-crowded garden, often considered a hidden gem, features lush foliage and a simple yet deeply tranquil environment that emphasizes purity and mindfulness. The tender movement of fresh spring leaves and the subtle rustling in the breeze become almost musical.

Finally, we enter the grounds of Chishaku-in (智積院), famous for its splendid painted sliding doors (fusuma) and its expansive garden designed to be viewed from the temple veranda. The spring awakening of bright green shoots and softly swaying bamboo offers a deep connection to nature, inviting viewers into an almost meditative state of being.

This beautifully filmed sequence not only showcases the natural beauty of Kyoto's spring but also underscores the enduring design of Japanese zen gardens. Harukawa Film Works leaves viewers with a peaceful reverie of renewal, silence, and seasonal transition—an artistic expression of Kyoto’s cultural soul.