Japanese Garden Bridge

Rain has just lifted from a Japanese garden, leaving the curved vermilion bridge and surrounding leaves dark with moisture. Red maple branches reach in from the left, while clipped shrubs and a low wooden tea house settle into the deeper green behind the railings. Below the bridge, orange, white and black koi cross its rippled reflection between mossy rocks.

Maple leaves and painted wood give the scene two strong red areas with very different textures. Weathered stone lanterns stand on opposite banks, making useful landmarks among the ferns, rounded shrubs and patches of moss. Koi patterns become more helpful as the pond fills in, especially where pale fish break through the darker water and reflected bridge rails.