CXXIX - Kyoto

This building is named Togu-do (東求堂) , and it is the oldest building in Japan built in the Shoin-zukuri (書院造) style, dating back from 1487. It is one of the two remaining structures of the original villa (the other one is the Silver Pavilion).

Inside the Togu-do there is a wooden statue of Ashikaga Yoshimasa (足利 義政; 1435 – 1490), the shogun who built this property as a retirement villa, and arranged for it to become a Zen temple after his death. According to legend, the shogun carved the statue himself.

This building also contains a small room known as the Dojin-sai, which is a tea room believed to be the reference for all future tea room designs, personally designed by the shogun's tea master, Murata Shuko (村田珠光; 1423 – 1502).

Thank you

To those 1030 people who visited my blog, whoever you are..

THANK YOU!

I hope you've enjoyed my photos and have found the explanations somewhat interesting or useful, I'll do my best this coming year to post more regularly!

Please don't hesitate to leave comments, suggestions, thoughts.. they're always very much appreciated!

Happy New Year!

よい お年 を!☆

CXXVIII - Kyoto

This small charming waterfall is called Sengetsu-sei (洗月泉- "moon watching fountain") because the small trickle of water is designed to create ripples which run across the water of the pool below, pleasantly distorting the silver reflection of the full moon.

CXXVII - Kyoto

A saisen bako (賽銭箱, "offerings box").

Always located in front of a shrine, it is used to collect money that worshippers wish to offer, and the noise of the coins hitting the wooden bottom is believed to attract the kami (神, "spirits"), who will then listen to the worshipper's prayer.

CXXVI - Kyoto

In the gardens of the Ginkaku-ji temple.

That bit of raked sand you can see at the bottom is a tiny corner of the beautiful Ginshaden ("Sea of Silver Sand"), a dry garden that covers 1.75 acres of the temple grounds. The straight lines of white sand are meant to be viewed at as a calm expanse of sea, and have to be re-raked daily by a great number of gardeners. The best view of the Ginshaden is said to be had on cloudless, moonlit nights — and I wish someday to have the chance to see it for myself.

CXXV - Kyoto

Another detail from Ginkaku-ji.

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This is my entry for the 7th edition of Show Me Japan. Please check it out!

CXXIV - Kyoto

Detail from the grounds of Ginkaku-ji.

CXXIII - Kyoto

The entrance to Ginkaku-ji (銀閣寺, "Temple of the Silver Pavilion") on a bright sunny day.

Also known as Jisho-ji (慈照寺, "Temple of Shining Mercy"), this temple belongs to the Shokoku School of the Rinzai Zen sect of Buddhism, and is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage site.

CXXII - Kyoto

Sunday morning, a street leading up to Ginkakuji temple (銀閣寺).

CXXI - Kyoto