Moon Crossing Bridge over the Katsura River in Kioto (Japan) depicted by Masami Nakamura

Many rains are needed
for coloring the leaves of the maple
in the perfect way.
but just one gust of wind
blows and takes them away.

Poem by Japanese emperor Meiji

Togetsu Bridge (Moon Crossing Bridge) over the Katsura River in Arashiyama, Kyoto (Japan)

Twice I have visited Arashiyama,

Pine-bordered cliffs, scattered cherry trees.

A high peak towers above the cliffs.

Among the rocks flows a stream

Clear as a mirror.

In the drizzle a mist envelops.

A ray of sunshine pierces the clouds

All the more dazzling.

The deeper the quest for truth,

The more it seems obscured.

Thus to glimpse the light

Heightens its beauty.

Zhou Enlai

Togetsu Bridge over the Katsura River in Arashiyama, Kyoto (Japan)

As the centre of Japanese culture for more than a thousand years, it spans the development of Japanese wooden architecture, particularly religious architecture, and the art of Japanese gardens, which has influenced landscape gardening the world over. Most of the one hundred ninety-eight buildings and twelve gardens that make up the seventeen component parts of the property were built or designed from the 10th to the 17th centuries.

Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto

UNESCO World Heritage Site