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1338 - Founded by Ashikaga
Takauji with guidance from Muso Soseki
(1275-1351). Thereafter it became the family temple to the 15 Ashikaga
shoguns.
Today it remains one of the few existing examples of the work of the
noted landscape gardener Muso Soseki (abbot of Tenryuji).
Two gardens are identified as Shinji-chi
and Fuyo-chi (the Lotus Pond).
An important feature of Fuyo-chi is the Seiren-tei,
teahouse which overlooks the small pond and it's fine clipped shrubs.
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| This noted landscape
garden should be high on any list of garden viewing. |
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'Temple of the peaceful dragon'
1473 - Zen Rinzai sect. Formerly the estate of Hosokawa
Katsumoto.
A large complex of buildings and grounds but best known for the kare-sansui
garden. This definitive rock garden of 15 stones on raked sand
is a designated National Treasure, considered to be the finest example
of the simplicity of Zen art in a garden.
The earthen wall that surrounds the perfect rectangle of gravel is
also a national treasure, it's colouring and pattern formed from the
natural seeping of oil within the clay. On the other side of the Abbot's
Hall is the noted tsukubai, (washbasin)
with it's famous inscription 'I learn only to be contented', a vital
Zen concept.
South of the main temple buildings is the impressive Kyoyochi
Pond. Made in the late 12th cent the pond was home to many
mandarin ducks which gave the temple it's former familiar name, Oshidoridera. |
| View the rock garden
from the veranda of the Abbot's hall and make your own mind up as
to what it represents |
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1234 - Headquarters of the Jodo sect. Founded by
the priest Genchi, a disciple of Honen.
Mostly destroyed by fire in 1633, it was rebuilt by the third Tokugawa
Shogun, Iemitsu (1604-51). Chion-in is
one of the largest and most famous temples of Japan. The refined garden
of the Ohojo and Kohojo
halls is a landscaped pond design in the style of Kobori
Enshu.
Other features include; the Sanmon gate
(largest structure of it's kind in Japan), many artistic treasures
including Kano-school paintings and the Gongen-do
a mausoleum enshrining Tokugawa Ieyasu,
his son Hidetada and grandson Iemitsu. |
| Much to see on a
grand scale. |
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'Temple of Great Virtue'
1320 - Zen Rinzai sect. Founded by Daito Kokushi.
After civil war damage during the period 1453-1468, the unorthodox
monk Ikkyu became head priest and rebuilt
the temple. Toyotomi Hideyoshi also supported
the restoration. Complex of 23 sub-temples. The great tea master Sen-no-Riku,
advisor to Hideyoshi, built tea houses and gardens within the grounds.
His tomb is in the nearby Shuko-in. The
Soken-in is home to the tomb of Oda
Nobunaga. Hojo garden by Kobori Enshu.
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Entrance to the
Hojo is by group tour only. See as many of the sub-temples as possible
three of the best are detailed below. |
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'The Great Hermits Temple'
Daitoku-ji sub-temple
Founded by Kogaku Zenshi -1509. Garden
attributed to the founder with help from the artist Soami.
The garden with its flowing stream represents life's journey and the
many obstacles that face us all. |
| An intimate and
expressive garden, very popular. |
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Daitoku-ji sub-temple
1601 - Founded by Hosokawa Tadaoki a noted
lord and follower of the Tokugawa. He was also an expert of the tea
ceremony a student of the master Sen-no-Rikyu,
he and his wife Lady Gracia, are buried here, a stone lantern marks
their grave. |
| Features a famous
tea house, and maples noted for their autumn colour. |
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Daitoku-ji sub-temple
1502 - The main garden, Isshidan, was designed
by Soami. It represents the sea and mountains
of the mythical 'Isles of the blest'. The Ryugintei
is the oldest garden in the Daitoju-ji complex. My favourite is the
Totekiko which is considered to be the
smallest stone garden in Japan. A small flat rock is surrounded by
deeply raked gravel - this reflects the idea that the stronger an
action (a stone thrown) the larger the effect (ripples) will be.
Also of note are the fine paintings and a lacquered Go table which
was used by Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa
Ieyasu. |
| This exquisite temple
has great variety within it's small spaces and is one of my absolute
favourites. |
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