Study on the early appearance of Shoto-en Garden described in “Articles of visiting Shoto-en Garden”

Shoto-en Garden was designated as a National Site of Scenic Beauty and located in Yanagawa City, Fukuoka Prefecture, was renovated in 1910. In this study, the author clarified the appearance of the Shoto-en Garden before 1910, with reference to “Articles of visiting Shoto-en Garden” written in 1899. It was found that the garden was located to the south of Goin-tei and designed for visitors enjoy scenic beauty while sauntering around a pond. In the pond, there were many scenic stones. There was also a sandy shore. The landscape of the pond was recognized as Matsushima, one of the Three Views of Japan. The pond was surrounded by small hills, where about 200 pine trees were planted. Accordingly, it can be inferred that the then Shoto-en was very similar to the current one. As buildings, there used to be the two arbors: “Tsuki-no-kage (Shadow of the Moon)” and “Yuki-no-akebono (Dawn of Snow)” and Mihashira Shrine in the garden. The arbor "Tsuki-no-kage" was located on the west side of the pond, the arbor "Yuki-no-akebono" was located on the northeast side shore of the pond, and The Mihashira Shrine was located on the artificial hill on the southeast side of the garden. It was also found that the arbor “Tsuki-no-kage” was relocated to the adjoining east garden in the renovation 1910.