Photo: Hokkaido garden show
The Hokkaido Gardens in Daisetsuzan, Japan, were recently host to a show of proportions both epic and very, very small. They brought together a young up-and-coming architect, a garden designer, and a sound designer to create a garden experience for all the senses. The video below is of the sound designer’s work.
Someone on YouTube commented that they didn’t get what the big deal was. They thought this was an animation and Bach’s BMV 147 played on a marimba. But it’s actually just a very tuneful (and large) Rube Goldberg Machine. The installation consists of a wooden ball being sent down a xylophone constructed of local wood placed on an incline so that the ball falls at (basically) the exact pace of the cantata it is playing. Fascinating!
The Gardens are quite a lovely place, even without the amazing show display. Take a look. It’s a very peaceful video.
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My OBT 
August 1, 2015 at 7:54 am
Ha! I just posted that video to Facebook a couple of days ago. It’s incredible, isn’t it? I think it would be amazing to walk through those gardens and then hear that music, I’m also impressed with the engineering skills involved in creating the instrument.
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August 1, 2015 at 9:03 am
I couldn’t find out too much about the instrument. It sure it cool. I love the sound.
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August 1, 2015 at 8:13 am
What a magical place! I loved the idea of the hammock library and the bubble garden. What wonderful ways to draw non-gardeners into the lovely gardens. I would never want to leave.
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August 1, 2015 at 7:49 pm
It does sound kind of magical, doesn’t it?
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August 1, 2015 at 9:37 am
Magical! Thank you for sharing Donna!
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August 1, 2015 at 7:49 pm
So glad you liked it!
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August 2, 2015 at 12:24 am
I really enjoy the stuff you find Donna. Reading your blogs puts the colours back into the world. Amidst our small and selfish human lives there are people being perfectly awesome, and you find them. Thank you!
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August 2, 2015 at 1:33 am
Kim, how lovely! Thank you. Truly.
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August 1, 2015 at 10:57 am
You did it again — found something beautiful — Thanks!
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August 1, 2015 at 7:50 pm
Thank you! I go where the internet muses take me.
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August 1, 2015 at 11:03 am
Reblogged this on GettingrealwithPTSD and commented:
Some more beauty from the fab blog OBT…
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August 1, 2015 at 6:26 pm
I think I need to save this and whenever I feel stressed from work, I just need to hit ‘play.’ This is beautiful, Donna.
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August 1, 2015 at 7:53 pm
I am planning on doing the same! Very glad you liked it!
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August 2, 2015 at 12:09 pm
The Giant Zylophone is amazing! To get the ball the right weight to move on the intricate steps at the correct pace is a technical feat! The music definitley set the mood for a walk through the grand gardens. In my area, there is the Morikami Museum, which gives a glimpse of Japan to visitors in Florida. I have always enjoyed being there, but the Hokkaido Gardens took my breathe away!
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August 3, 2015 at 1:04 am
They really are pretty special, aren’t they? So glad you liked them!
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