Changes

A narrow path in the shape of an S-curve leads into the gardens, from the main gate to the main villa. This road, separating the villa from the outside, and leading to it only indirectly, served a similar function to the ''[[hinpun]]'' in typical Okinawan homes, blocking evil spirits or bad fortune from entering the home. A small guardhouse sits within the compound, just north of the side gate.

A narrow path in the shape of an S-curve leads into the gardens, from the main gate to the main villa. This road, separating the villa from the outside, and leading to it only indirectly, served a similar function to the ''[[hinpun]]'' in typical Okinawan homes, blocking evil spirits or bad fortune from entering the home. A small guardhouse sits within the compound, just north of the side gate.

Shikinaen was supplied with fresh water by a [[spring]] called Ikutokusen (育徳泉), surrounded by walls of Ryukyuan limestone in the ''aikata-zumi'' style. Prior to WWII, the spring was sheltered by a cypress-shingled roof, but this roofed structure has not been reconstructed. A pair of stone stele were erected next to the shrine by the chief envoys of two Chinese investiture missions - [[Zhao Wenkai]] in [[1800]], and [[Lin Hongnian]] in [[1838]] - reading, respectively, Itokusen and ''kanrei enrei'' (甘醴延齢, ''sweet saké, long life''). These were severely damaged in World War II, but have been restored.

Shikinaen was supplied with fresh water by a [[spring]] called Ikutokusen (育徳泉), surrounded by walls of Ryukyuan limestone in the ''aikata-zumi'' style. Prior to WWII, the spring was sheltered by a cypress-shingled roof, but this roofed structure has not been reconstructed. A pair of stone stele were erected next to the shrine by the chief envoys of two Chinese [[investiture]] missions - [[Zhao Wenkai]] in [[1800]], and [[Lin Hongnian]] in [[1838]] - reading, respectively, Itokusen and ''kanrei enrei'' (甘醴延齢, ''sweet saké, long life''). These were severely damaged in World War II, but have been restored.

Two stone bridges passing over the pond were constructed in a southern Chinese style, using techniques also from southern China, to create tall, high arches, allowing boats to pass underneath more easily. The stones used in these bridges, pieces of Ryukyuan limestone from the wave-battered seashore, were chosen for their resemblance to the rocks of [[Lake Tai]], treasured for their twisted and pockmarked appearance and displayed as [[scholars' rocks]].

Two stone bridges passing over the pond were constructed in a southern Chinese style, using techniques also from southern China, to create tall, high arches, allowing boats to pass underneath more easily. The stones used in these bridges, pieces of Ryukyuan limestone from the wave-battered seashore, were chosen for their resemblance to the rocks of [[Lake Tai]], treasured for their twisted and pockmarked appearance and displayed as [[scholars' rocks]].