「桜下亭」広島県広島市

広島市の築１５０年と言われる古民家（岡本邸）に重森三玲が作った庭と茶室。原爆の被害を免れた三滝寺に近く、この屋敷も山陰で被害を受けなかった。入り口からスロープ状の敷石を歩いていくと右手の広場のような場所に直線的に折れ曲がって続く細い敷石が伸びているのが見える。この敷石は自然石を集めたものだが途中数カ所にジグザグ直線があしらわれエッジの効いたアクセントになっている。スロープをのぼりきると玄関前に前庭がある。前庭の敷石のへりはモザイク画のように波形で、平らかに敷かれた白砂の中へ何本も波の腕を伸ばしている。白砂のなかには３つの苔山が海に浮かぶようにつくられ、それぞれ異なる石組みがなされている。前庭の先の敷地は四ツ目垣で仕切られ中門をくぐり抜け主庭の枯山水庭へと入る。この主庭は枯池の後ろに大きな富士石を据え景の要としている。右手奥に枝垂れ桜があり京都の重森三玲庭園美術館を思わせる。主庭の奥にある露地へと誘う飛び石と延段が屋敷と枯池の間を横切っている。露地の主役は織部灯籠と蹲だ。蹲の手水鉢は宝篋印塔の傘を返したもので驚きを伴う趣向で目を引く。露地に腰掛待合は一つだが、四つ目垣が露地を半分に区切って内露地と外露地の趣を作り出している。重森三玲による作庭の特徴が随所に見られ興味深い。なお、前述した三瀧寺にある「補陀洛の庭」は昭和３０年代後半に重森三玲によって改修されているので徒歩圏内の「桜下亭」は同時期の仕事である可能性が高い。

◼︎名称：「桜下亭」

◼︎住所：広島市安佐南区長束西3丁目9-17

◼︎TEL: 082-239-1000

◼︎営業時間：問い合わせ

◼︎休園日：木曜日

◼︎駐車場：有り

◼︎アクセス：JR可部線安芸長束駅より12分

広島駅・「広島文化学園大学・短期大学」バス停下車坂道を徒歩3分

"Ouka-tei" Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture.

A garden and tea room built by Mirei Shigemori in an old mansion (Okamoto Residence) in Hiroshima City that is said to be 150 years old. Mitaki-dera Temple, located in the shadow of the mountains, is famous because it escaped damage from the atomic bomb. This mansion nearby was also not damaged. As you walk on the paving stones of the sloping approach from the entrance, you will see a paving stone path that curves in a straight line into a plaza-like area on your right. This paving stone is a collection of natural stones, but it has zigzag straight lines in several places along the way, giving it an artificial and edgy accent. When you go up the slope, there is a front garden in front of the entrance.

Several wave-shaped peninsulas extend from the paving stones in the front garden onto the white sand area. These are Mirei Shigemori's unique designs. Three small moss mountains have been created on the white sand, resembling green islands floating in the sea, and on top of each is a stone structure with a different composition.

The grounds beyond the front garden are separated by a Yotsume bamboo fence, and we pass through the middle gate and enter the dry landscape garden in the main garden.

In the main garden, a large Fuji stone is placed behind the dry pond and serves as the focal point of the scenery. There are weeping cherry blossoms in the back on the right, reminiscent of the Shigemori Mirei Garden Museum in Kyoto.

Stepping stones and Nobedan leading to ❊Roji at the back of the main garden cross between the mansion and dry pond. (❊ Small closed garden for tea room)

The main characters of Roji are Oribe lanterns and Tsukubai. Tsukubai's water basin is an upside-down version of the Hokyointo umbrella, and its surprising twist catches the eye.

There is only one sitting area at Roji. A bamboo fence divides the field into two halves, creating the atmosphere of Uchiroji and Sotoroji.

This garden is interesting as you can see many of the features of the garden designed by Mirei Shigemori. Furthermore, the aforementioned ``Fudaraku Garden'' at Mitaki-dera Temple is said to have been renovated by Mirei Shigemori. ``Ouka-tei'' and ``Fudaraku Garden'' may have been works by Mirei Shigemori from the same period.

◼︎Name: “Sakura Shita-tei”

◼︎Address: 3-9-17 Nagatsuka Nishi, Asaminami-ku, Hiroshima City

◼︎TEL: 082-239-1000

◼︎Business hours: Inquiry

◼︎Closed: Thursday

◼︎Parking: Yes

◼︎Access: 12 minutes from Aki Nagatsuka Station on the JR Kabe Line

Get off at Hiroshima Station/Hiroshima Bunka Gakuen University/Junior College bus stop and walk 3 minutes down the slope.

広島県・Hiroshima pref