Almost every Japanese garden pond is inhabited by Japanese carps (koi) and turtles… both species well beloved by the Japanese people, the koi being a symbol of courage and perseverance while the turtle is a symbol of longevity.

But while visiting the gardens, you may have the pleasure to encounter even more interesting pond inhabitants… Like this heron who posed for me at the Heian Jingu in Kyoto. And I soon learned that the heron, because of its habit to stay motionless, is a symbol of Buddhist meditation…

Heron, Heian Shrine, Kyoto

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Yesterday’s Japan Photo: Japanese kite, Aizu Tojin