My Blogoversary - The Moon Gate at Naumkeag, Stockbridge, Ma.



My first blogoversary (that has to be the 'new word of the year') passed and I didn't notice! So in the spirit of belated celebration, I am reprinting one of the very first blog posts I wrote. Its fitting since the snow is about 10 inches high where I am right now.

Two evenings ago, driving along a road in open farm country, I watched as the January full moon rose over a snowy landscape....the large white disc shining brightly in a liquid gray sky was spectacular! I now understand why animals howl at the moon - it must be a sympathetic show of appreciation and awe...

The grandeur of the full moon made me reflect on moon gates, the traditional Chinese circular entryways that lead into contained gardens and cities. The rounded opening alludes to the full moon and the Chinese adage that says, 'Flowers are more beautiful when the moon is full.'
Stepping through a round portal is symbolic of so many things. Like our entrance into this world, an enveloping enclosure calls to us to see what is on the other side. This sort of entry speaks to us of mystery and delight - no soaring Calatrava-like bridge or ornamented portico - a moon gate beckons quietly, saying 'all is well, come see for yourself..."

photo by Jan Johnsen

One of the most lovely moon gates that I have had the pleasure to step through is the gate in the Chinese garden at Naumkeag in Stockbridge, Massachusetts.
Naumkeag is a shingle-style 'country house' estate designed by noted architect Stanford White in 1885. As all Gilded Age homes, it is filled with finery and art, but, to me, it is the gardens that make this public attraction memorable.

Sitting on 8 acres of landscaped grounds surrounded by 40 acres of woodland, meadow, and pasture, the property was originally designed by Nathan Barrett then expanded by noted landscape designer, Fletcher Steele (what a great name!) between 1926 and 1956. The moon gate is part of Steele's Chinese Garden (1936-1956) and was added as the last piece of the puzzle in 1956.

The most wonderful aspect of this particular moon gate is the masonry. The wall, of which it is a part, is built from dark red brick and gray fieldstone. The gate itself is brick topped with lovely brickwork and a wooden roof. The masonry is quite different from traditional Chinese moon gates which are often fashioned from smooth stucco or finished stone. Here, the large round gate fits in with the native plants of this region perfectly and does not look ersatz or slightly out of place as so many Chinese gardens appear to be in my part of the world.
Btw, it is said that a moon gate brings good luck to all who pass through it so, with that, a summer visit to the Berkshire Mountains and the stunning Naumkeag may be just what you require! This photo blow is taken from the Naumkeag official website:

Comments

  1. lam5991January 12, 2011 at 12:09 PM

    Happy Blogoversary! Here's to another great year of Serenity in the Garden!

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownJanuary 12, 2011 at 1:52 PM

    Congratulations on one year! A delightful post....thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  3. blog about our products we have in our just feminized rangeJanuary 12, 2011 at 5:18 PM

    Gardens are always beautiful to see as they give us freshness and calmness to the mind. It is more soothing for our eyes to see greenery all around.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Laguna DirtJanuary 12, 2011 at 6:49 PM

    very serene post! love the circle!! congrats on the year anniversary!

    ReplyDelete
  5. DonnaJanuary 12, 2011 at 6:52 PM

    happy anniversary and many more

    ReplyDelete
  6. Jan JohnsenJanuary 12, 2011 at 9:25 PM

    Thank you everyone! I so enjoy sharing what I know and learn with everyone...gardens are our shared delight.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Stone Art's BlogJanuary 13, 2011 at 4:14 AM

    Happy blogoversary Jan, keep up the great work :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Jan JohnsenJanuary 13, 2011 at 10:34 AM

    thank you Sunny! and everyone here should check out his wonderful blog -

    http://stoneartblog.blogspot.com/

    Sunny and I kind of feed off each other's enthusiasm...

    ReplyDelete
  9. Indoor FountainsJanuary 14, 2011 at 2:26 PM

    Happy 1st year Blogoversary!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Jan JohnsenJanuary 14, 2011 at 7:26 PM

    thank you indoor fountains!

    ReplyDelete
  11. blog about our products we have in our just feminized rangeJanuary 27, 2011 at 12:45 PM

    Gardening is a beautiful habit and hobby to follow as it gives content to the heart and peace to the mind. Even I have a small garden in my backyard. Gardens are very soothing to eyes. This kind of beautiful gardens are very tough to build and maintain.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Pond FiltersJanuary 28, 2011 at 12:14 PM

    It is meditative to come here. Thanks for the serenity and tribute to Nature and all that it encompasses. I find the way you create your posts to be one of my favorite moments of my day or week.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Jan JohnsenJanuary 29, 2011 at 3:15 PM

    and now you have made my day, no - my week.

    ReplyDelete

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