Open to the public from 27 June
VOLTERRA. The sparkle of the water and waterfalls match the bright red, yellow and black of the carp (koi) in the pond, while rocks, water and plants, in every detail, are not left to chance. However, we are not in some green corner of Japan, but in Il Cipresso, in Volterra. We are in the brand new Japanese garden developed by Giacomo Guarguaglini and Francesca Camerini, which will open its doors to the public with a series of periodic paid visits starting from 27 June.
A few years ago, they had the “crazy” idea of implementing the family business, for decades devoted to the breeding of truffle dogs and the private cultivation of truffles, with a passion that in the meantime has become a new activity: the direct import from Japan of carp (koi, in the original language). “Then, immediately, the idea of building a Japanese garden was born, a very particular corner, in which every plant, stone, foreshortening, has its own philosophy behind it – says Guarguaglini -. It took six years of work, but in the end we succeeded ».
A Japanese enclave in the Tuscan hills, a stone’s throw from the International School of Higher Education (Siaf), with which a collaboration was also born. «Here everything has its own reason – explains Guarguaglini -. Visitors are accompanied on an immersive journey, where every aspect of the garden is told according to the philosophy that underlies it ». Philosophy and spirituality give meaning to every choice, with memories and pieces of life of those who created the green corner, in a landscape incarnation. «It is not an object, it is an emotion – he continues -. Those who arrive here must leave the routine, stress behind and embrace this place. Stop”.
New activity that overlaps the one started years ago with carp: «That too was born from two passions, Japan and fishing – he underlines -. We were already immersed in the world of dogs and cultivation and I thought if it was not possible to put together two jewels from two extreme corners of the world: carp and truffles ». And jewels, koi, they really are. Imported from Japan, they arrive here to be bought by collectors. A world unto itself, in which size, age and above all colors make up the price, with figures that can even reach three zeros. “In Japan they are considered pets – he explains -. The carp recognize you, identify the sound of your voice, take the food from your hands ». It is no coincidence that this place is also a candidate for koi-therapy sessions. While the activity linked to the truffle also continues. «We are not a place for truffle trekking and traditional research – says Guarguaglini -. Even that experience, here, is meditative, oriented to fully living the moment together with the four-legged friend ».
From the 27th, the garden will be open three days a week by reservation; two, however, will be the morning appointments dedicated to truffles.