Peechin (rank order) Ohama, an ancestor of the Ishigaki Family, built the garden based on adesign by Peechin Gusukuma, a gardener in Shuri in 1819. Ryukyu limestone is the main stone used in the garden. Based on the style of the Japanese garden—such as five sets of stone arrangements that slope down from the north to south, a stone bridge, and a dry waterfall—the garden is a Karesansui (dry landscape) that incorporates local colors, for example, plantings of Sago palms (Cycas revoluta) on a Tsukiyama (artificial hill).
cultural property : historic sites and places of scenic beauty as natural monuments
type : places of scenic beauty
287 Arakawa, Ishigaki-shi, Okinawa-ken 907-0024
Tel：0980-82-2720
It is a garden of the Ishigaki Family located in Ishigaki City. The Ishigaki Family is an old family that produced appointed officials sent to administer the Ohama Magiri region in the Ryukyu Kingdom. The Ohama Magiri region includes the central area of Ishigaki Island, the western area of Iriomote Island, and Hateruma Island. It is not clear when the garden was built. Based on the description of the garden’s design specification, called “Niwa-zukuri-fushin-sho” (庭作不審書), which was handed down in the Ishigaki Family, it is estimated to have been created around 1819. It is believed that the garden was designed by Peechin (rank order) Gusukuma, a gardener in Shuri, the same gardener who also designed the garden of Miyara Dunchi (the residence of the government official in charge of the Miyara District).
The garden is a Karesansui (dry landscape) garden that features Tsukiyama (artificial hills), five sets of stone arrangements that slope down from the north to south, a dry waterfall, and a stone bridge. The stone arrangements use Ryukyu limestones, natural stones that are locally produced. Plants native to the Yaeyama Islands, such as common garcinias (Garcinia subelliptica) and screw pines (Pandanus odorifer) are used in the plantings. The garden offers the atmosphere of a southern country.