A garden Chosen to alive
Spring has sprung—or at least it’s making an admirable effort. The weather’s warming up, and the birds have clearly received the memo. Their songs are livelier, filling the air with a chorus that ranges from charming to mildly overenthusiastic. In the countryside forests, flocks of birds are busy with high-pitched calls, while the peaceful coo of the Oriental turtle dove does its best to be heard amidst the commotion. The other day, during a visit to the Former Yasuda Gardens, I spotted an Oriental turtle dove perched proudly atop a tree that a gardener was diligently pruning. Against the backdrop of a white concrete building, the dove looked both regal and slightly bemused—perhaps wondering when its countryside retreat became part of the urban decor. Unlike their city-dwelling cousins who loaf around temple squares or parks with an air of entitlement, these doves originally preferred the tranquility of countryside woods, where their distinctive calls echoed without competition from ca...