Flowers in an Abandoned Japanese Garden

[GundamFanDeluxe00]

why is everyting abandoned!!! cmon lol u can live there.. just build a road XD

[FearlessSama]

You captured humanity at it's best..Someone who was here on this beautiful planet[the background scenery is breathtaking];who is gone now but left behind their love of nature.Nothing is more grounding than a garden.My sincere thanks to you"Softypapa" for sharing this wonderful footage.

[marblemill]

Im so glad you are capturing these parts of Japan.

My favorite parts. Nature there is quite powerful which is likely not the typical thoughts of Japan!

[softypapa]

@marblemill Thank you for watching and

sharing your thoughts about this video.

These areas are very special to me as

well and it's great to meet others who

share this interest. I promise to do my

best to bring more and better such videos

in the future. -Kurt :-)

[LuckySilorio]

nice and neat. . . ^^,

[PuzzlingEvidenceTV]

Thanks for the reminder.

[vertigoalopolus]

once again, thank you for your videos. they provide an insight to countryside that i long to visit someday. please post more of your journeys down these lonely mountain roads - absolutely fascinating.

how long did it take you to learn japanese? did you learn it before you moved to japan?

[softypapa]

Hello vertigoalopolus, I'm delighted that you enjoy these videos and it is my sincere pleasure to bring them to you. I have many lonely little roads yet to explore with my camera and I will be honored to have you come along via YouTube. Or if you are ever in Shizuoka then let me know as you are welcome to join me! As for Japanese I still struggle with this everyday. I'm afraid that my Japanese is really quite poor though I will always endeavor to improve. -Kurt :-)

[amydien09]

Another great video from you =)

I love the perspective you've had for this clip. Proof of people's existence and symbolism through the flowers. =)

[softypapa]

Hello amydien09, I remember when I was looking at this garden and the thought struck me that the flowers must have been from the gardener, and how this man or woman's past efforts are showing through spring after spring. It was a moving thing to consider and I am happy that I could share it with you. -Kurt :-)

[superwingetjestringe]

Thank you for filming the beautiful place :) I like the background noise

[softypapa]

Hello superwingetjestringe, Thank you for coming along... The sounds of the mountains here are indeed very lovely and soothing. I especially enjoy hiking on rainy days when the sounds are at once strangely muffled and amplified. -Kurt :-)

[splitza]

thank you for posting this. made my day =]

[softypapa]

Hello splitza, I recall how seeing this garden made my day on this particular hike. I had passed it going up and had been so distracted by the lovely mountains that I had not seen the flowers. I'm glad that I spotted them on the return trip as this garden was the high point of this outing. I'm happy to hear that you liked it as well. -Kurt :-)

[DocGt21]

We have a saying here:

There are three things you should have accomplished in your life:

-built a house

-write a book

-plant a tree

I think that last one matches the flowers.

[softypapa]

Hello DocGt21, What a terrific saying. May I ask which country or region you are from and where this expression is used? -Kurt :-)

[DocGt21]

Hi Kurt.

Sorry my answer´s that late but I was away for my holidays.

The saying is very old and used in germany where I live. I tried to figure out more about the sayings origin, all sources available say middle europe.

There is another version that says: Built a house, have a son, plant a tree. But people seem to use it as they like; the tree and the house is always mentioned.

IMO the part about the book and/or the son could mean to give your experience to the next generation.

DocGt21 :-)

[softypapa]

Hello DocGt21,

It's a wonderful expression either way. Thank you again for sharing this with us. I will be sure to remember (and try my best to apply) these words of wisdom.

Kurt :-)

[DocGt21]

You are very welcome.

:-)

DocGt21

[Peekingduck]

Great clip.

I think like your reflections over these flowers even more than the video.

Thanks for the food for thoughts.

[gtpluvr]

Very nice Kurt! That reminds me of some beautiful Iris flowers that my mom planted at my dad's house. She's been gone for almost 10yrs but, we enjoy them every springtime still today!

[Windowlicker77]

Very beautiful place for a garden great setting.

[pressmyeasybutton69]

Time is the fire in which man burns.

Thanks for sharing your reflections on time well spent.

[softypapa]

Hello pressmyeasybutton69, What a wonderful sentiment you have expressed. Thank you so much for sharing this with us. Is this a quote and if so then I'd love to know who originally said or wrote this. -Kurt :-)

[pressmyeasybutton69]

Hello Kurt,

I apologize for the delay in replying.

The sentiment is from a poem by Delmore Schwartz called "Calmly We Walk Through This April's Day." I first came across it in the Star Trek movie called "Generations" and it really spoke to me. So, I was inspired to track the source. I am glad it spoke to you too.

[softypapa]

Hello pressmyeasybutton69, Thank you for citing this source. I have just looked the poem up and have enjoyed my first reading. I look forward to reading it again many times as it seems to have much depth and character. Thank you again for sharing! -Kurt :-)

[pressmyeasybutton69]

Hello Kurt,

I am glad that you were able to find a copy so quickly. I guess it's on the web. I would imagine that you liked the 2nd to last line too: "Time is the school in which we learn." The poem does deserve a second read or two, there is quite a bit in it. And, thank you for sharing your experiences in Japan with all of us. It is most appreciated.

[softypapa]

Hello pressmyeasybutton69,

I do indeed like especially those last few lines. I'm printing the poem now in order to take with me today and reread during my breaks at work. And thanks again for sharing this beautiful poem with us. In my opinion it is this type of sharing and interaction which makes YouTube and the Internet so wonderful. -Kurt :-)

[pressmyeasybutton69]

I guess the work really spoke to you too. That's great. I do agree that the Internet is an amazing way that enables us all to share in new ways. It is the combination of our differences that is our strength. 'nochi hodo...' -Paul

[yadsik]

Beautiful, thank you mister Bell.

[softypapa]

Hello yadsik, It's my sincere pleasure to bring this video to you and an honor to receive your kind feedback. -Kurt :-)

[kidzero22]

i'm wondering can you grow mango trees in japan. because i heard mangos cost 50 u.s. dollars. if people sell them for that much that's a gold mine selling for mangos for that much.

[softypapa]

Hello kidzero22, Mangos are indeed expensive here though I have never seen any mango being grown in this area. Perhaps they do better in a warmer climate. I'm just guessing though as I really have no idea. However, with all the empty farms and farmland out in he countryside here I suspect that an industrious person could indeed scratch a living from the soil if they tried. Perhaps even a good living! -Kurt :-)

[Bluegoo]

You're an english teacher, right? Can your wife draw? If so, you now have material for an award winning children's book.

[softypapa]

Hello Bluegoo, What a delightful suggestion. I will give this some serious thought. Thank you very much! -Kurt :-)

[Luminasita]

A sad thought. I wish more would move to the countryside. Then again, I think the same thing here. Hhmm.... there's an idea for a video! ^^

~Kat

[softypapa]

Hello Kat, I do meet people from time-to-time who express and interest in leaving the city and moving into the Japanese countryside. They all seem to share the same concern regarding the lack of basic services such as medical and educational facilities as well as the limited access to shopping and entertainment. Perhaps things will change as folks are pressed further by the difficulties of the current economic situation. -Kurt :-)