Kyoto Shisen-do Villa

The autumn beauty at Shisen-do Villa is amazing, with a garden sparkling with bright red maples. This was once a residence of a retired samurai, Ishikawa Jozan (1583-1672). Jozan had a profound knowledge of both Chinese and Japanese literature and art, and he planned this villa and garden, making great use of this knowledge. Another garden designed by Jozan is Shosei-en Garden near Kyoto Station. The villa is located in the outskirts of Kyoto at Ichijo-ji Sagarimatsu, which is also famous as the place where great swordsman Miyamoto Mushashi (1582-1645) fought a duel with Yoshioka School.

For the complete article by Tomoko Kamishima with more pictures go to http://en.japantravel.com/view/kyoto-shisen-do-villa