Donna Fletcher Crow, Novelist of British History, has written more than 50 books specializing in British Christianity. These books include: The Monastery Murders, clerical mysteries; Lord Danvers Investigates, Victorian true-crime; The Elizabeth and Richard series, literary suspense; and Glastonbury, The Novel of Christian England. She loves research and sharing you-are-there experiences with her readers.

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Donna Fletcher Crow, Novelist of British History

A traveling researcher engages people and places from Britain's past and present, drawing comparisons and contrasts between past and present for today's reader.

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Japan Journey Day 6 Imperial Palace Gardens and More French Connections

By Donna Fletcher Crow ~ June 23, 2017

We began the day at the Imperial Palace Gardens. The area is surrounded by a massive stone wall erected of huge stones that made one think of the pyramids. The wall, in turn, is surrounded by a moat, as it has been since feudal times.

I am coming to realize that Japanese gardens are all about serenity, greenness and water.

There is very little emphasis on color, although the iris,

hydrangea,

and fuschia were lovely.

Roses featured in the Imperial Palace Rose Garden were all antique varieties. This was the only place I saw roses in Japan. I never saw an English tea rose, although their climate should be perfect for them. I was delighted to see an Old China Rose, because it is one of the heritage varieties that is used in hybridizing many of the David Austin English Roses which I grow.

The emperor and empress still live in the palace, although Emperor Akihito, now 80, has asked the Diet to pass a law that will allow him to retire, something that has never been done. Crown Prince Naruhito is expected to succeed, although the Diet is considering changing the law to allow female succession as well. Interestingly, our daughter-in-law has met the empress as they belong to the tennis club where the emperor and empress still play once a year.

We followed our garden tour with an exquisite tea at Laduree.

I have now been to Laduree in London and in Tokyo, but never in Paris. Maybe someday.

I have mentioned the Tokyo Tower, an Eiffel Tower replica. It is about halfway between our son's apartment and the Tokyo America Club where we stayed, so served as a perfect landmark throughout our stay. It was built in 1957 as a communications tower for Japan's public broadcasting station. It is painted orange and white as air traffic regulations required at the time.

We finished the day with a joint celebration of wedding anniversary for Stanley and Kelly and birthdays for all 4 grandchildren, all events that occur in May and June. A seven course dinner at their favorite restaurant, French, of course.

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The Authorized Version

Donna Fletcher Crow, Novelist of British History

A traveling researcher engages people and places from Britain's past and present, drawing comparisons and contrasts between past and present for today's reader.

Japan Journey Day 6 Imperial Palace Gardens and More French Connections

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