兼六園 ２ (Kenroku Park -2-)

　1枚目の写真右端の橋の名は「雪見橋」。写真を左へ出はずれたところに、「雁行橋」「月見橋」「虹橋」と、風流な名の橋が続く。

　2枚目の写真は、兼六園のほぼ中央に位置する「霞ヶ池」で、その右端近くに、兼六園のシンボルとして観光写真にしばしば登場する2本脚の灯籠、徽軫灯籠（ことじとうろう）が見える。私は小学校6年のとき、卒業記念として学校に残す絵を描くために選ばれた4名中の一人として兼六園へ写生に行き、この場所を選んだ。

　3枚目の写真は、日本最古といわれている噴水で、霞ヶ池を水源とし、自然の水圧で噴き上がっている。小学校3年で死去した私の兄が、この噴水をクレヨンで写生した未完成の絵を残していたので、これも懐かしい風景である。

　4枚目の写真は、金沢城の石川門。正面に二つあるはずの窓が見えなくて、のっぺりしているのは、修復工事中のためのようである。左右に延びている城壁部分には、工事用の覆いが掛けられていた。（完）

The name of the bridge in the far right on the first photo is "Yukimi-bashi (Snow-viewing Bridge)." Out to the left off the photo, there also are bridges of beautiful names, i.e., "Ganko-bashi (Flying-Geese Bridge)," "Tsukimi-bashi (Moon-viewing Bridge)" and "Niji-bashi (Rainbow Bridge)."

The second photo shows "Kasumi Pond" located near the center of Kenroku Park. Near the right edge of the photo, we see a two-legged, stone lantern by the name of Kotoji-tōrō, which often appears in tourism pictures as a symbol of this park. In my sixth year of elementary school, I was selected one of four pupils to draw pictures to leave the school for the commemoration of graduation, went to Kenroku Park and chose this place for sketching.

The third photo shows the fountain that is said to be the oldest in Japan. Water comes from Kasumi Pond and goes up by the natural water pressure. My elder brother, who died in the third grade of the elementary school, left an unfinished picture of this fountain drawn by crayons, so that this is a nostalgic scene, as well.

The fourth photo shows Ishikawa Gate of Kanazawa Castle. Two windows, which are usually visible on the front wall of the upper building of the gate, are not seen probably because of the reconstruction work being made. Ramparts extending at both sides of the gate were being hidden by covers for reconstruction. (End)