The history of Kenrokuen Garden dates back to the 17th century. At that time, there was a villa of the Maeda family called Renchi Goten on this site. Renchi Goten was built by Maeda Tsunanori, the fifth lord of the Kaga Domain, who had a luxurious residence on this site adjacent to Kanazawa Castle. This Renchi Goten and its surrounding gardens later developed into Kenrokuen Garden.
However, Renchi Goten was destroyed by a great fire in 1759, and the site was temporarily left as a firebreak. The next time the site came to prominence was during the period when the Meirinkan and Keibukan schools were established by Maeda Harunaga in 1791 (Kansei 3). Here, facilities for the education of clan members were developed, and Confucian studies and martial arts were taught. These schools played an important role in laying the cultural foundations of the Kanazawa clan.
framed picture or motto (usu. horizontal, hung over gates or lintels)
Kenrokuen came close to its present form during the period of the Takezawa Goten, which began in 1822 (Bunsei 5), when Maeda Narihiro, the 11th lord of the domain, retired due to ill health and built Takezawa Goten on the site of Kenrokuen. Here, he enjoyed Noh and a quiet life in retirement. It was during this period that Narihiro developed the area around Takezawa Goten, forming the foundation of the garden.
After his retirement, Maeda Nariyasu, the 12th lord of the domain, dismantled the Takezawa Goten and further developed the garden. In the process, landscapes such as Kasumigaike Pond and Eirakuyama were developed, laying the foundations for Kenrokuen. Nariyasu had a deep love for his family, which was reflected in the design and development of Kenrokuen. When Nariyasu dismantled Takezawa Goten, he already had the name “Kenrokuen” in mind, and it is thought that this name was the basis for the construction of the garden.
The name Kenrokuen was written by Matsudaira Sadanobu in 1822, and its origin can be found in the Rakuyou Meienki, written by the Northern Song Dynasty poet Li Gefei. In this book, “lake garden” is mentioned as an ideal garden that combines six elements: vastness, seclusion, human ingenuity, antiquity, water features, and scenic views, and this concept influenced the naming of Kenrokuen.
However, recent research has revealed that Matsudaira Sadanobu did not invent the name Kenrokuen. In fact, it is recorded in his diary that Sadanobu himself did not know the meaning of the word “Kenrokuen.” This suggests that the name Kenrokuen was probably invented within the Maeda family or by a cultural figure of the time.
In the Meiji era (1868-1912), when the Maeda family’s domain came to an end, Kenrokuen was developed as a park and officially opened to the public on May 7, 1874. This date is still known today as the anniversary of the opening of Kenrokuen. Prior to the public opening, Kenrokuen was partially opened under the name “Yorakuen,” but it was renamed “Kenrokuen” again just two weeks later. This renaming was probably done at the behest of Nariyasu.
Later, in the Taisho era (1912-1926), conservation activities at Kenrokuen began in earnest. Thanks to the activities of the “Kaetsuno Shidankai” and others, Kenrokuen was restored to a form similar to that of Maeda Nariyasu’s time, and transformed into the form we see today.
Kenrokuen Garden has been gradually shaped by successive generations of Maeda family lords. Its history goes beyond the mere design and maintenance of the garden and reflects the family affection and cultural background of the Maeda family, as well as the changing times. When you visit Kenrokuen Garden, please take time to reflect on the depth of its history and the thoughts of the people who lived in each era. The beauty of Kenrokuen Garden is not limited to its gardens, but the stories behind them will deepen your appreciation of the garden.
Address: 1 Kenroku-machi Kanazawa Ishikawa Japan 920-0936
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