The following is taken from a plaque on the terrace, and gives a bit of background on what went into the making of this breathtaking riverwalk. I like the rules for making rock gardens, which resulted in a river river for whose beauty no superlative could be considered excessive.

On September 17th, 1945, the Makurazaki Typhoon caused the Momijidani River to flood. A torrent of sand and boulders came rushing down towards the Itsukushima Shrine, many part of which were buried. Three years later, in August, 1948, construction started along the river of a Sabo-Teien, or a 'Garden which Protects the River Channel' as one of the projects to restore damaged Miyajima, which is a famous historical and scenic place. The project continued for three years in the midst of the financial crisis affecting Japan after World War II. The work was carried out without causing any damage to the river and its surroundings, since great care was taken to observe the Rules for the Construction of Rock Gardens, quoted below:

• All large rocks, or stones of whatever size, must be used in their natural state. The should not be scarred or cracked.
• No surrounding trees or vegetation may be destroyed.
• The concrete river channel should be covered with stones which have been left in their natural state.
• The stones used must be from this same area, and not brought from any other.
• All work must be carried out by landscape architects.

These rules made it possible to construct a Ganseki-teien, or 'Garden of Rocks', using very large boulders arranged like a traditional garden. The garden creates an atmosphere which splendidly matches the meaning of Yu-gen characters, carved on a nearby stone, which were originally written by Lord Nagakoto Asano, the last of the feudal leaders of Hiroshima clan.

Now, half a century after the restoration of Momijidani, or 'Maple Valley', the Itsukushima Shrine has been added to the list of World Heritage Sites and visitors come here in increasing numbers not only from Japan but from all over the world.

This Hyotan Sajiki, or 'Gourd Terrace', has been constructed in order to record for posterity the work of restoration and commemorate not only those who completed it while successfully preserving the natural beauty of the valley, but also those who praised this beauty, including Soseki, Ogai, and other great men of letters. The terrace has been constructed in the exact place where this inn's Kawa-zashiki, or 'Room over the River', once stood before it was washed away in the typhoon. The room was used as a quiet place of enjoyment by Chiyo Uno, the distinguished novelist, and Seiji Togo, the celebrated painter.

May this be a fitting memorial, and also a token of deep gratitude, on the 145th anniversary of the establishment of this inn.

April 7th, 1998
The 6th Head of Iwaso