Toko-en

• Japanese: 東湖園 (Touko-en)

Tôko-en was the private retreat of Ikeda Tadakatsu (1602-1632), the second Edo period daimyô of Okayama han. Located in Okayama City, it is believed to have been designed by Kobori Enshû, and was organized around a pond and teahouse, covering round 700 m².

The garden was small, but made use of shakkei (borrowed scenery), incorporating the vision of Mt. Misaoyama into the aesthetics of the garden.

Following Ikeda's death, the garden came to be controlled by the Niwa samurai family, and remained under private ownership ever since then. It was never officially designated as a historical site or cultural property, but for many years the private owners kept it open to the public, for a modest fee (400 yen). In 2013, however, the owners of the garden decided they could no longer afford to keep it open. For a brief time, the garden became appointment only, and then closed entirely in December 2013. As of July 2014, the dismantling of the teahouse and gardens are underway, and there are plans to built condos on the site.

References

• Casey Baseel, "Beautiful 400-year-old garden in Okayama about to be replaced with condominium complex," RocketNews24.com, July 22 2014.