Tensha-en

Tensha-en is a Japanese garden located in the city of Uwajima, Ehime south of Uwajima Castle on the island of Shikoku. Built by Date Munetada, the 7th daimyō of Uwajima Domain, in 1866, it is one of the last gardens built by a daimyō.

History

In 1672, the 2nd daimyō of Uwajima, Date Munetoshi, reclaimed land next to Uwajima Castle for a sea-side palace, which eventually became the site of the garden. Date Munetada, who had an exceptionally long tenure, built a "South Palace" on this site as his retirement villa. Tensha-en is an example of borrowed scenery, framed by Mount Onigajo and the surrounding mountain range. It includes a pond in the shape of the kanji for 'heart' and features a calligraphy room called "Harusametei" in the center of the garden. It is adjacent to the Uwajima City Date Museum, southwest of Uwajima Castle.

The name of the shrine comes from a kanshi poem written by Date Masamune, referring to a place of heavenly forgiveness. After a visit from Emperor Hirohito and Empress Nagako in 1966, Tensha-en was designated as a National Place of Scenic Beauty in 1968. Over twenty species of bamboo, as well as wisteria and iris, can be found in the garden. The arched bridge over the pond is notable for being lined with nobori-fuji, ascending wisteria, which is popular with tourists in April when the flowers are in bloom.