“That trees, at least Japanese trees, have souls, cannot seem an unnatural fancy to one who has seen the blossoming of the umenoki and the sakuranoki. This is a popular belief in Izumo and elsewhere.”

LAFCADIO HEARN

The above text was written by Lafcadio Hearn in his essay In a Japanese Garden, published in 1892. Of the cherry-trees (sakuranoki) in his much-loved garden in Matsue,  Hearn wrote: “When, in spring, the trees flower, it is as though fleeciest masses of cloud faintly tinged by sunset had floated down from the highest sky to fold themselves about the branches.  This comparison is no poetical exaggeration, neither is it original: it is an ancient Japanese description of the most marvelous floral exhibition which nature is capable of making.” This woodland garden retains many old trees from an earlier garden on this site. These have been underplanted by Japanese Cherries and Maples with stands of Bamboo framing the meandering paths. Central to this area is a boardwalk with views overlooking Tramore Bay. Clusters of Fatsia Japonica, which featured in Hearn’s own garden in Matsue, abound the area.