Ginkaku-ji
Built as a private retreat, the delightfully peaceful sanctuary of Ginkaku-ji was a harmonious marriage of Japanese landscaping and architecture. The temple derives its name, “The Temple of the Silver Pavilion”, from an unsubstantiated anecdote that its founder, shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa, had planned to enrobe the main pavilion in silver leaf. Yoshimasa intended the estate to be his retirement villa, styling it very much in accordance with strict zen sensibilities. In fact, it was quasi-religious, in which certain elements key to zen buddhism were subtly integrated with those that dictated residential living. When finished, Ginkaku-ji contained no less than twelve buildings, of which only two have survived.
The original design had been inspired by the temple of Saiho-ji – long-held to be one of the most beautiful places in Kyoto. The moss garden, contemplation huts and banqueting hall were all features borrowed from the scenery of Saiho-ji. So too was the Silver Pavilion, which was modelled on the Ruri-den or “Lapis Lazuli Pavilion”. The overall ambiance of Ginkaku-ji was one of harmony and tranquility – the fulfilment of an ambition to re-create a garden “Paradise”. It was only after the death of Yoshimasa in 1490 that the villa and grounds of Ginkaku-ji were finally converted into a Rinzai zen temple.
Date of Construction: Reign of shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa (1482); restored in 1615.
Highlights: Silver Pavilion; Zen-inspired “Karesansui” (dry-garden landscape); Togu-do tea-room prototype; “Brocade Mirror” pond
- Ashikaga Yoshimasa, Cultural Shogun - 2:09
- An Introduction to the Temple - 2:06
- The Entrance Pathway - 0:42
- The Dry Garden - the Ginshadan & Kogetsudai - 2:04
- The Togu-do - 3:30
- The Stroll Garden - 2:37
- The Brocade Mirror Pond - 1:17
- The Silver Pavilion (the Ginkaku) - 2:52
