Japan – 2014 Ishikawa – 47 Prefectures (38) Silver Commemorative Colored Coin in Original Mint Pack

The obverse of the coin depicts the Kotoji stone lantern and ropes protecting trees from snow in Kenrokuen Garden: Known as a representative traditional Japanese garden created by a feudal lord in the Edo period (1603-1868), it is ranked among the three most beautiful gardens in Japan, along with Kairakuen Garden in Mito, Ibaraki Prefecture, and Kōrakuen Garden in Okayama Prefecture.

It was designated as a national special place of scenic beauty in 1985. The interior of the garden has been illuminated every season since 1997. The illumination in autumn and winter, when ropes protecting trees from snow (yukizuri) emerge from the darkness, is particularly fantastic. Kotoji stone lantern: Located on the northern shore of Kasumigaike Pond, it is known as a symbol of Kenrokuen Garden. It is said that its name is derived from “kotoji”, a bridge for the strings of the Japanese harp (koto), because their shapes with two legs are similar to each other. Ropes protecting trees from snow in Kenrokuen Garden (Yukizuri): Yukizuri, ropes arranged around trees in a cone shape to protect them from the weight of snow, are famous as a winter feature in the Hokuriku region, to which Ishikawa Prefecture belongs.

In Kenrokuen Garden, the ropes are installed by landscape gardeners from November 1st each year. Common design on the reverse of the silver coin: snow crystals, moon and cherry blossoms.