Gezicht op de botanische tuin van Koishikawa in Tokyo, Japan before 1893

This photograph by Kazumasa Ogawa captures the botanical garden of Koishikawa in Tokyo. The garden is an arrangement of lush trees that cascade into the pond. In Japanese culture, gardens are not merely spaces of nature but profound statements of philosophy and spiritual reflection. Consider the weeping willow, prominent with its cascading branches. Across cultures, the willow is often associated with sorrow and mourning, yet it also symbolizes resilience and adaptability. We see its image not only in Japanese prints but also in Western art, such as Van Gogh’s melancholic landscapes. The willow's presence here engages our collective memory and emotions. It reflects the garden’s purpose to instill peace through the acceptance of life’s cyclical changes. Observe how the composition draws your eye to the quiet pond. Like a mirror, it reflects the world around it, representing the ever-changing nature of reality. This symbol echoes in the subconscious, embodying the cyclical progression of nature and human experience.