Opening of the Japanese Garden at St Columba’s High School
25th August 2006
Such success reminds me of story of a Japanese garden built in the grounds of Dundarach House in Pitlochry more than 100 years ago.
The garden was created by John Henry Dixon, an Englishman who settled in Perthshire after returning from Japan. He loved Japanese culture and also spent much time with the Ainu, the only indigenous people in Japan. When he settled in Scotland, he also brought with him, 5 Japanese gardeners and 4 craftsmen, to construct his very own Japanese garden.
Around the same time, a young Japanese student was studying literature in London. He was called Natsume Soseki and later described his experience in London as “the two most unpleasant years I have ever spent in my life”. So miserable was he, that his friends were very concerned that he may even take his own life. However, shortly before returning to Japan, he was invited by John Henry Dixon to visit Dundarach House and Pitlochry.
Soseki was so enchanted by the natural beauty of Pitlochry and the kind hospitality shown to him, that his mental heath soon improved. The Japanese garden, with its large stone lantern, Shinto gateway and pond, surely played an important role in this healing.
When he eventually returned to Japan, Soseki abandoned his earlier plans to be a teacher and became a writer. He went on to become one of the greatest novelists Japan has ever known and is regarded as the Japanese Charles Dickens.
It is safe to say that without the hospitality of John Henry Dixon and the beauty of his local town and the Japanese garden; Japan would never have had the pleasure of enjoying the works of such a wonderful novelist.
This inspirational story links Scotland and Japan, and Japanese gardens. I hope it will encourage and inspire you to learn more about the historical relationship enjoyed between our two countries and that this garden can act as a symbol of our peaceful friendship.