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tags: Architecture Japan China
Title
I’m curious about the color bridges. So distinctive.
Red bridges are traditionally Chinese and not Japanese.
A bridge is called “hashi” in Japanese as well as chopsticks. This pronunciation is exactly the same as that of another “hashi (chopsticks)“. Although these two words have obviously different kanji characters, you might be confused if you don’t recognize the difference between both words.
Moon Bridge: In formal garden design, a moon bridge is placed so that it is reflected in still water. The high arch and its reflection form a circle, symbolizing the Moon. By forming a reflected full circle, the bridge also symbolizes purity: the Chinese words for “full” and “circle” together translate to “perfection”.
Bridges which are made from a whole stone are valued the most and are known as ishibashi.
Bridges, of course, have a strong relationship with ponds, streams, and waterways, all of which are important aspects of Japanese gardening. By extension, bridges have become, in their simplest form, a practical tool to move guests from one Islands to another.
On colors: Red is an important color in Japanese culture, and in this case represents wisdom, transformation and all that is sacred. Red is also a color heavily intertwined with Zen, and so further encourages the individual to reject their attachment to physical things on their journey across the bridge.