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  • Tenju-an is one of many sub temples at Nanzenji and was built in 1336 to commemorate the founding of Nanzenji in the previous century.  There are two gardens within the compound, though the more famous and impresive of the two is the zen rock garden or karesansui.
    tenju-an-garden-1.jpg
  • Ryuun-ji Temple Garden, sometimes spelled Ryuoun-ji or Ryounji, has two distinct gardens: The Muryoju Garden is a dry zen karesansui garden in front of the main hall.  The garden was designed by Yasuo Kitayama, a disciple of Enshu Kobori.  It is common for most temples and gardens in Shizuoka to claim some connection to Kobori Enshu as he spent time in the area, and in fact did design a couple of the more renowned temple gardens in Hamamatsu. The three largest stones represent the Buddhist triad, with the surrounding stones representing the disciples.  In front of the Paradise area, where the Buddha is located, a tortoise stone to the west and a dragon to the east watch over Buddha. The walls were kept low by the designer so that passers-by and event motorists could glimpse into the garden, feel welcome and enter.
    Ryuunji-Temple-Garden-1.jpg
  • Ryuun-ji Temple Garden, sometimes spelled Ryuoun-ji or Ryounji, has two distinct gardens: The Muryoju Garden is a dry zen karesansui garden in front of the main hall.  The garden was designed by Yasuo Kitayama, a disciple of Enshu Kobori.  It is common for most temples and gardens in Shizuoka to claim some connection to Kobori Enshu as he spent some time in the area, and in fact did design a couple of the more renowned temple gardens in Hamamatsu. The three largest stones represent the Buddhist triad, with the surrounding stones representing the disciples.  In front of the Paradise area, where the Buddha is located, a tortoise stone to the west and a dragon to the east watch over Buddha. The walls were kept low by the designer so that passers-by and event motorists could glimpse into the garden, feel welcome and enter. The back garden, behind the main hall is called the Shojo Garden and is composed of water, a waterfall and streams.  The waterfall is known as Muinotaki or Mui-no-taki which flows along the path to the entrance to Pure Land Paradise. The completion of both gardens took Kitayama thirty years to complete.
    Ryuunji-Temple-Garden-10.jpg
  • Ryuun-ji Temple Garden, sometimes spelled Ryuoun-ji or Ryounji, has two distinct gardens: The Muryoju Garden is a dry zen karesansui garden in front of the main hall.  The garden was designed by Yasuo Kitayama, a disciple of Enshu Kobori.  It is common for most temples and gardens in Shizuoka to claim some connection to Kobori Enshu as he spent some time in the area, and in fact did design a couple of the more renowned temple gardens in Hamamatsu. The three largest stones represent the Buddhist triad, with the surrounding stones representing the disciples.  In front of the Paradise area, where the Buddha is located, a tortoise stone to the west and a dragon to the east watch over Buddha. The walls were kept low by the designer so that passers-by and event motorists could glimpse into the garden, feel welcome and enter. The back garden, behind the main hall is called the Shojo Garden and is composed of water, a waterfall and streams. The waterfall is known as Muinotaki or Mui-no-taki which flows along the path to the entrance to Pure Land Paradise. The completion of both gardens took Kitayama thirty years to complete.
    Ryuunji-Temple-Garden-6.jpg
  • Jotenji Zen Garden - Joten-ji is a Rinzai temple in Hakata, Fukuoka, its construction was completed in 1242.  The grounds of Jotenji feature a Zen garden. The founding priest of the temple, Enni Benen went to China where he studied Zen Buddhism and came back to Japan in 1241.  Besides the teachings of Buddhism, he brought back to Japan a variety of cultural features from China including production methods of noodles.  Jotenji Temple is special because of its striking temple gate and and stone garden.   The gate has become the new symbol of Hakata.  The cry Zen karesansui garden was modeled from Kenninji Kyoto.
    Joten-ji-garden-2.jpg
  • Jotenji Moss Garden - Joten-ji is a Rinzai temple in Hakata, Fukuoka, its construction was completed in 1242.  The grounds of Jotenji feature a Zen garden. The founding priest of the temple, Enni Benen went to China where he studied Zen Buddhism and came back to Japan in 1241.  Besides the teachings of Buddhism, he brought back to Japan a variety of cultural features from China including production methods of noodles.  Jotenji Temple is special because of its striking temple gate and and stone garden.   The gate has become the new symbol of Hakata.  The cry Zen karesansui garden was modeled from Kenninji Kyoto.
    Joten-ji-garden-6.jpg
  • Jotenji Moss Garden - Joten-ji is a Rinzai temple in Hakata, Fukuoka, its construction was completed in 1242.  The grounds of Jotenji feature a Zen garden. The founding priest of the temple, Enni Benen went to China where he studied Zen Buddhism and came back to Japan in 1241.  Besides the teachings of Buddhism, he brought back to Japan a variety of cultural features from China including production methods of noodles.  Jotenji Temple is special because of its striking temple gate and and stone garden.   The gate has become the new symbol of Hakata.  The cry Zen karesansui garden was modeled from Kenninji Kyoto.
    Joten-ji-garden-5.jpg
  • Jotenji Zen Garden - Joten-ji is a Rinzai temple in Hakata, Fukuoka, its construction was completed in 1242.  The grounds of Jotenji feature a Zen garden. The founding priest of the temple, Enni Benen went to China where he studied Zen Buddhism and came back to Japan in 1241.  Besides the teachings of Buddhism, he brought back to Japan a variety of cultural features from China including production methods of noodles.  Jotenji Temple is special because of its striking temple gate and and stone garden.   The gate has become the new symbol of Hakata.  The cry Zen karesansui garden was modeled from Kenninji Kyoto.
    Joten-ji-garden-7.jpg
  • Jotenji Zen Garden - Joten-ji is a Rinzai temple in Hakata, Fukuoka, its construction was completed in 1242.  The grounds of Jotenji feature a Zen garden. The founding priest of the temple, Enni Benen went to China where he studied Zen Buddhism and came back to Japan in 1241.  Besides the teachings of Buddhism, he brought back to Japan a variety of cultural features from China including production methods of noodles.  Jotenji Temple is special because of its striking temple gate and and stone garden.   The gate has become the new symbol of Hakata.  The cry Zen karesansui garden was modeled from Kenninji Kyoto.
    Joten-ji-garden-3.jpg
  • Ryuun-ji Temple Garden, sometimes spelled Ryuoun-ji or Ryounji, has two distinct gardens: The Muryoju Garden is a dry zen karesansui garden in front of the main hall.  The garden was designed by Yasuo Kitayama, a disciple of Enshu Kobori.  It is common for most temples and gardens in Shizuoka to claim some connection to Kobori Enshu as he spent some time in the area, and in fact did design a couple of the more renowned temple gardens in Hamamatsu. The three largest stones represent the Buddhist triad, with the surrounding stones representing the disciples.  In front of the Paradise area, where the Buddha is located, a tortoise stone to the west and a dragon to the east watch over Buddha. The walls were kept low by the designer so that passers-by and event motorists could glimpse into the garden, feel welcome and enter. The back garden, behind the main hall is called the Shojo Garden and is composed of water, a waterfall and streams.  The waterfall is known as Muinotaki or Mui-no-taki which flows along the path to the entrance to Pure Land Paradise. The completion of both gardens took Kitayama thirty years to complete.
    Ryuunji-Temple-Garden-5.jpg
  • Ryuun-ji Temple Garden, sometimes spelled Ryuoun-ji or Ryounji, has two distinct gardens: The Muryoju Garden is a dry zen karesansui garden in front of the main hall.  The garden was designed by Yasuo Kitayama, a disciple of Enshu Kobori.  It is common for most temples and gardens in Shizuoka to claim some connection to Kobori Enshu as he spent some time in the area, and in fact did design a couple of the more renowned temple gardens in Hamamatsu. The three largest stones represent the Buddhist triad, with the surrounding stones representing the disciples.  In front of the Paradise area, where the Buddha is located, a tortoise stone to the west and a dragon to the east watch over Buddha. The walls were kept low by the designer so that passers-by and event motorists could glimpse into the garden, feel welcome and enter. The back garden, behind the main hall is called the Shojo Garden and is composed of water, a waterfall and screams.  The waterfall is known as Muinotaki or Mui-no-taki which flows along the path to the entrance to Pure Land Paradise. The completion of both gardens took Kitayama thirty years to complete.
    Ryuunji-Temple-Garden-3.jpg
  • Ryuun-ji Temple Garden, sometimes spelled Ryuoun-ji or Ryounji, has two distinct gardens: The Muryoju Garden is a dry zen karesansui garden in front of the main hall.  The garden was designed by Yasuo Kitayama, a disciple of Enshu Kobori.  It is common for most temples and gardens in Shizuoka to claim some connection to Kobori Enshu as he spent some time in the area, and in fact did design a couple of the more renowned temple gardens in Hamamatsu. The three largest stones represent the Buddhist triad, with the surrounding stones representing the disciples.  In front of the Paradise area, where the Buddha is located, a tortoise stone to the west and a dragon to the east watch over Buddha. The walls were kept low by the designer so that passers-by and event motorists could glimpse into the garden, feel welcome and enter. The back garden, behind the main hall is called the Shojo Garden and is composed of water, a waterfall and streams. The waterfall is known as Muinotaki or Mui-no-taki which flows along the path to the entrance to Pure Land Paradise. The completion of both gardens took Kitayama thirty years to complete.
    Ryuunji-Temple-Garden-7.jpg
  • Jodoji Temple Garden is a tsukiyama garden that uses the natural hillside and its waterfall as background scenery with the focal point a small pond at its foot. <br />
There is a tea room called Ruizudari which is mostly original though it was renovated and revived in 1999.
    jodoji-garden-onomichi-1.jpg
  • Jodoji Temple Garden is a tsukiyama garden that uses the natural hillside and its waterfall as background scenery with the focal point a small pond at its foot. <br />
There is a tea room called Ruizudari which is mostly original though it was renovated and revived in 1999.
    jodoji-garden-onomichi-10.jpg
  • Jodoji Temple Garden is a tsukiyama garden that uses the natural hillside and its waterfall as background scenery with the focal point a small pond at its foot. <br />
There is a tea room called Ruizudari which is mostly original though it was renovated and revived in 1999.
    jodoji-garden-onomichi-3.jpg
  • Ryuun-ji Temple Garden, sometimes spelled Ryuoun-ji or Ryounji, has two distinct gardens: The Muryoju Garden is a dry zen karesansui garden in front of the main hall.  The garden was designed by Yasuo Kitayama, a disciple of Enshu Kobori.  It is common for most temples and gardens in Shizuoka to claim some connection to Kobori Enshu as he spent some time in the area, and in fact did design a couple of the more renowned temple gardens in Hamamatsu. The three largest stones represent the Buddhist triad, with the surrounding stones representing the disciples.  In front of the Paradise area, where the Buddha is located, a tortoise stone to the west and a dragon to the east watch over Buddha. The walls were kept low by the designer so that passers-by and event motorists could glimpse into the garden, feel welcome and enter. The back garden, behind the main hall is called the Shojo Garden and is composed of water, a waterfall and streams. The waterfall is known as Muinotaki or Mui-no-taki which flows along the path to the entrance to Pure Land Paradise. The completion of both gardens took Kitayama thirty years to complete.
    Ryuunji-Temple-Garden-11.jpg
  • Tenju-an is one of many sub temples at Nanzenji and was built in 1336 to commemorate the founding of Nanzenji in the previous century.  There are two gardens within the compound, though the more famous and impresive of the two is the zen rock garden or karesansui.
    tenju-an-garden-2.jpg
  • Ryuun-ji Temple Garden, sometimes spelled Ryuoun-ji or Ryounji, has two distinct gardens: The Muryoju Garden is a dry zen karesansui garden in front of the main hall.  The garden was designed by Yasuo Kitayama, a disciple of Enshu Kobori.  It is common for most temples and gardens in Shizuoka to claim some connection to Kobori Enshu as he spent some time in the area, and in fact did design a couple of the more renowned temple gardens in Hamamatsu. The three largest stones represent the Buddhist triad, with the surrounding stones representing the disciples.  In front of the Paradise area, where the Buddha is located, a tortoise stone to the west and a dragon to the east watch over Buddha. The walls were kept low by the designer so that passers-by and event motorists could glimpse into the garden, feel welcome and enter. The back garden, behind the main hall is called the Shojo Garden and is composed of water, a waterfall and streams. The waterfall is known as Muinotaki or Mui-no-taki which flows along the path to the entrance to Pure Land Paradise. The completion of both gardens took Kitayama thirty years to complete.
    Ryuunji-Temple-Garden-2.jpg
  • Ryuun-ji Temple Garden, sometimes spelled Ryuoun-ji or Ryounji, has two distinct gardens: The Muryoju Garden is a dry zen karesansui garden in front of the main hall.  The garden was designed by Yasuo Kitayama, a disciple of Enshu Kobori.  It is common for most temples and gardens in Shizuoka to claim some connection to Kobori Enshu as he spent some time in the area, and in fact did design a couple of the more renowned temple gardens in Hamamatsu. The three largest stones represent the Buddhist triad, with the surrounding stones representing the disciples.  In front of the Paradise area, where the Buddha is located, a tortoise stone to the west and a dragon to the east watch over Buddha. The walls were kept low by the designer so that passers-by and event motorists could glimpse into the garden, feel welcome and enter. The back garden, behind the main hall is called the Shojo Garden and is composed of water, a waterfall and streams. The waterfall is known as Muinotaki or Mui-no-taki which flows along the path to the entrance to Pure Land Paradise. The completion of both gardens took Kitayama thirty years to complete.
    Ryuunji-Temple-Garden-8.jpg
  • Ryuun-ji Temple Garden, sometimes spelled Ryuoun-ji or Ryounji, has two distinct gardens: The Muryoju Garden is a dry zen karesansui garden in front of the main hall.  The garden was designed by Yasuo Kitayama, a disciple of Enshu Kobori.  It is common for most temples and gardens in Shizuoka to claim some connection to Kobori Enshu as he spent some time in the area, and in fact did design a couple of the more renowned temple gardens in Hamamatsu. The three largest stones represent the Buddhist triad, with the surrounding stones representing the disciples.  In front of the Paradise area, where the Buddha is located, a tortoise stone to the west and a dragon to the east watch over Buddha. The walls were kept low by the designer so that passers-by and event motorists could glimpse into the garden, feel welcome and enter. The back garden, behind the main hall is called the Shojo Garden and is composed of water, a waterfall and streams. The waterfall is known as Muinotaki or Mui-no-taki which flows along the path to the entrance to Pure Land Paradise. The completion of both gardens took Kitayama thirty years to complete.
    Ryuunji-Temple-Garden-4.jpg
  • Jotenji Zen Garden - Joten-ji is a Rinzai temple in Hakata, Fukuoka, its construction was completed in 1242.  The grounds of Jotenji feature a Zen garden. The founding priest of the temple, Enni Benen went to China where he studied Zen Buddhism and came back to Japan in 1241.  Besides the teachings of Buddhism, he brought back to Japan a variety of cultural features from China including production methods of noodles.  Jotenji Temple is special because of its striking temple gate and and stone garden.   The gate has become the new symbol of Hakata.  The cry Zen karesansui garden was modeled from Kenninji Kyoto.
    Joten-ji-garden-4.jpg
  • Jotenji Moss Garden - Joten-ji is a Rinzai temple in Hakata, Fukuoka, its construction was completed in 1242.  The grounds of Jotenji feature a Zen garden. The founding priest of the temple, Enni Benen went to China where he studied Zen Buddhism and came back to Japan in 1241.  Besides the teachings of Buddhism, he brought back to Japan a variety of cultural features from China including production methods of noodles.  Jotenji Temple is special because of its striking temple gate and and stone garden.   The gate has become the new symbol of Hakata.  The cry Zen karesansui garden was modeled from Kenninji Kyoto.
    Joten-ji-garden-1.jpg
  • Ryuun-ji Temple Garden, sometimes spelled Ryuoun-ji or Ryounji, has two distinct gardens: The Muryoju Garden is a dry zen karesansui garden in front of the main hall.  The garden was designed by Yasuo Kitayama, a disciple of Enshu Kobori.  It is common for most temples and gardens in Shizuoka to claim some connection to Kobori Enshu as he spent some time in the area, and in fact did design a couple of the more renowned temple gardens in Hamamatsu. The three largest stones represent the Buddhist triad, with the surrounding stones representing the disciples.  In front of the Paradise area, where the Buddha is located, a tortoise stone to the west and a dragon to the east watch over Buddha. The walls were kept low by the designer so that passers-by and event motorists could glimpse into the garden, feel welcome and enter. The back garden, behind the main hall is called the Shojo Garden and is composed of water, a waterfall and streams. The waterfall is known as Muinotaki or Mui-no-taki which flows along the path to the entrance to Pure Land Paradise. The completion of both gardens took Kitayama thirty years to complete.
    Ryuunji-Temple-Garden-9.jpg
  • The Singapore Japanese Garden is based on Japanese gardens from the Muromachi period (1392 – 1568) to the Momoyama period (1568 – 1615).  The garden  includes  a karesansui dry garden which exudes a sense of peace and tranquility with its minimalist and abstract design.  The garden is made up of arched bridges, stone lantern and ponds faithfully recreating traditional Japanese gardening style. The Singapore Japanese Garden is within the Chinese Garden complex, also known as Jurong Gardens, was made  in 1975 and designed by Prof. Yuen-chen Yu, an architect from Taiwan,. The garden’s concept is based on the integration of architectural features within the natural environment. The garden is modeled along the northern Chinese imperial styles of landscaping.  In Chinese gardens, bridges play a critical role and the most important structures may denote a specific character.
    singapore-japanese-garden-4.jpg
  • Jodoji Temple Garden is a tsukiyama garden that uses the natural hillside and its waterfall as background scenery with the focal point a small pond at its foot. <br />
There is a tea room called Ruizudari which is mostly original though it was renovated and revived in 1999.
    jodoji-garden-onomichi-7.jpg
  • Jodoji Temple Garden is a tsukiyama garden that uses the natural hillside and its waterfall as background scenery with the focal point a small pond at its foot. <br />
There is a tea room called Ruizudari which is mostly original though it was renovated and revived in 1999.
    jodoji-garden-onomichi-6.jpg
  • Jodoji Temple Garden is a tsukiyama garden that uses the natural hillside and its waterfall as background scenery with the focal point a small pond at its foot. <br />
There is a tea room called Ruizudari which is mostly original though it was renovated and revived in 1999.
    jodoji-garden-onomichi-4.jpg
  • Jodoji Temple Garden is a tsukiyama garden that uses the natural hillside and its waterfall as background scenery with the focal point a small pond at its foot. <br />
There is a tea room called Ruizudari which is mostly original though it was renovated and revived in 1999.
    jodoji-garden-onomichi-9.jpg
  • Jodoji Temple Garden is a tsukiyama garden that uses the natural hillside and its waterfall as background scenery with the focal point a small pond at its foot. <br />
There is a tea room called Ruizudari which is mostly original though it was renovated and revived in 1999.
    jodoji-garden-onomichi-2.jpg
  • Jodoji Temple Garden is a tsukiyama garden that uses the natural hillside and its waterfall as background scenery with the focal point a small pond at its foot. <br />
There is a tea room called Ruizudari which is mostly original though it was renovated and revived in 1999.
    jodoji-garden-onomichi-11.jpg
  • Tenjuan Temple Garden - Tenjuan Temple is a small subtemple of Nanzenji dedicated to the Zen master who served Emperor Kameyama in his religious studies. Tenju-an has a main hall and study which date back to the early 17th century. Tenjuan is noteworthy for its two gardens, a rock garden and an adjacent pond garden, which are particularly attractive during autumn. The dry karesansui garden has unusual patterns normally not found in karesansui zen gardens.
    tenju-an-1.jpg
  • Tenjuan Temple Garden - Tenjuan Temple is a small subtemple of Nanzenji dedicated to the Zen master who served Emperor Kameyama in his religious studies. Tenju-an has a main hall and study which date back to the early 17th century. Tenjuan is noteworthy for its two gardens, a rock garden and an adjacent pond garden, which are particularly attractive during autumn. The dry karesansui garden has unusual patterns normally not found in karesansui zen gardens.
    tenju-an-4.jpg
  • Dry Stone Garden at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine - The garden was created in 1980 to commemorate the 800th anniversary of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine.  The adjacent peony garden features large stones which were a gift to the shrine from the Chinese government.  This peony garden was laid out by Chinese workmen along traditional lines.  The dry garden was created along Japanese lines similar to Zen karesansui gardens, although Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine is a shinto shrine which honors various gods, and has little to do with Zen Buddhism.
    tsurugaoka-peony-9.jpg
  • Ryoanji or the Temple of the Dragon at Peace is a Zen temple in northwest Kyoto, Ryoanji belongs to the My shin-ji school of the Rinzai branch of Zen Buddhism. The garden is considered to be the finest examples of a karesansui, Japanese rock garden, or zen garden, in the world. The temple and gardens are listed as Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto and as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
    ryoanji-1.jpg
  • Ryoanji or the Temple of the Dragon at Peace is a Zen temple in northwest Kyoto, Ryoanji belongs to the My shin-ji school of the Rinzai branch of Zen Buddhism. The garden is considered to be the finest examples of a karesansui, Japanese rock garden, or zen garden, in the world. The temple and gardens are listed as Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto and as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
    ryoanji-2.jpg
  • The large rock garden at Kenninji Hondo is of type meaning "dry mountains and water" style. Inside the hondo itself are many painted sliding fusuma doors from renowned artist Hashimoto Kansetsu.
    kenninji-3.jpg
  • The large rock garden at the main temple hall, the Hondo is of type meaning "dry mountains and water" style. Inside the hondo  itself are many painted sliding doors from renowned artist Hashimoto Kansetsu.
    kenninji-2.jpg
  • Joshinji Zen Garden - The Hondo main hall at Joshin-ji Temple was built in 1759 and has a striking zen garden next to the hall, one of the very few dry karesansui gardens in Tokyo. Joshin-ji Temple, also known as Kuhonbutsu is a large Jodo sect Buddhist temple in Jiyugaoka Tokyo.  The temple was established in 1678 and still maintains its original buildings . The grounds contain some of Tokyo’s oldest trees a few more than 700 years old.  Jōshin-ji is the home of the three Buddha Halls in front of the main Hall, devoted to Amida Buddha.  Each of the tall statues shows a different hand position, also known as Mudra, which have a symbolic meaning in esoteric Buddhism.  These Buddha Statues were the craftwork of the great master Kaseki Shonin who devoted his life to create nine different manifestations of the Amida Buddha.  The Niohmon Gate was completed in 1793. It houses a pair of fierce guardian divinities. Joshinji Kuhon Butsu is not listed as a tourist attraction and maintains its serenity as a working Jodo Buddhist temple without charing admissions, fees nor restrictions on entering.
    daisuke-joshinji-2.jpg
  • Joshinji Zen Garden - The Hondo main hall at Joshin-ji Temple was built in 1759 and has a striking zen garden next to the hall, one of the very few dry karesansui gardens in Tokyo. Joshin-ji Temple, also known as Kuhonbutsu is a large Jodo sect Buddhist temple in Jiyugaoka Tokyo.  The temple was established in 1678 and still maintains its original buildings . The grounds contain some of Tokyo’s oldest trees a few more than 700 years old.  Jōshin-ji is the home of the three Buddha Halls in front of the main Hall, devoted to Amida Buddha.  Each of the tall statues shows a different hand position, also known as Mudra, which have a symbolic meaning in esoteric Buddhism.  These Buddha Statues were the craftwork of the great master Kaseki Shonin who devoted his life to create nine different manifestations of the Amida Buddha.  The Niohmon Gate was completed in 1793. It houses a pair of fierce guardian divinities. Joshinji Kuhon Butsu is not listed as a tourist attraction and maintains its serenity as a working Jodo Buddhist temple without charing admissions, fees nor restrictions on entering.
    daisuke-joshinji-1.jpg
  • Dry Stone Garden at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine - The garden was created in 1980 to commemorate the 800th anniversary of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine.  The adjacent peony garden features large stones which were a gift to the shrine from the Chinese government.  This peony garden was laid out by Chinese workmen along traditional lines.  The dry garden was created along Japanese lines similar to Zen karesansui gardens, although Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine is a shinto shrine which honors various gods, and has little to do with Zen Buddhism.
    tsurugaoka-peony-2.jpg
  • Ryoanji Garden and Sakura - one of the world's best known gardens. The main attraction is its rock garden, the most renowned of its kind in Japan. The simple Zen garden consist of nothing but rocks and neatly raked gravel. Though the meaning of the garden's arrangement is unknown and up to each visitor's interpretation it is said that if you can see all of the 15 stones at one time you have reached enlightenment.
    ryoanji-3.jpg
  • To the south of the hojo at Kenninji Temple there is a dry or karesansui garden named "Daioen" which means grand garden. It is said that the pattern of white gravel symbolizes a field of clouds.  This effect is helped by the waves and ripples in the gravel which give this effect.
    kenninji-13.jpg
  • Nanzenji is of the most powerful Zen monasteries in Japan, as it was counted among the Gozan, the five principal Zen establishments in Kyoto, and in 1381 was declared number one. Its main garden is a large rectangle of crushed rock, and can be viewed from verandas of Seiryoden Hall.  Along the eastern wall is a moss covered area containing large stones and shrubs, these elements arranged from north to south. Because Nanzenji is located just below the slope of Higashiyama, the view of the garden includes the borrowed scenery of the hillside. The shape of the boulders has led some to assume that they represent "leaping tigers" following the Kano School paintings of tigers decorating the sliding doors of the Seiryoden Hall.
    nanzenji-1.jpg
  • Nanzenji is one of the most powerful Zen monasteries in Japan, as it was counted among the Gozan, the five principal Zen establishments in Kyoto, and in 1381 was declared number one. Its main garden is a large rectangle of crushed rock, and can be viewed from verandas of Seiryoden Hall.  Along the eastern wall is a moss covered area containing large stones and shrubs, these elements arranged from north to south. Because Nanzenji is located just below the slope of Higashiyama, the view of the garden includes the borrowed scenery of the hillside. The shape of the boulders has led some to assume that they represent "leaping tigers" following the Kano School paintings of tigers decorating the sliding doors of the Seiryoden Hall.
    nanzenji-2.jpg
  • Jomyoji Zen Garden - Jomyoji, a Rinzai Zen Buddhist temple in Kamakura, was founded by the influential Ashikaga clan.  Jomyo-ji’s main hall sits at the end of a garden and houses a statue of  Buddha. Jomyoji also has a restored tea house Kisen-an where visitors can enjoy the view of the zen karesansui garden.  For its role in Japanese history, Jomyo-ji is named a National Historical Site by the government of Japan.
    jomyoji-2.jpg
  • Hoshun-in Zen Garden, Daitokuji Temple, Though not very large, Hoshun-in is an elegantly landscaped garden with oddly overlaying rocks, and attractive for its three dimensional composition.  Hoshun-in offers outstanding seasonal beauty in the flowering season due to lilies and irises surrounding the pond and its Zen rock garden.
    hoshun-in-4.jpg
  • Nanzen-ji is a the headquarters of the Nanzen-ji branch of Rinzai Zen Buddhism.  The compounds of Nanzen-ji are nationally designated Historic Sites and the Hojo gardens a Place of Scenic Beauty and also a National Treasure of Japan.  Hojo-teien karesansui garden is said to have been laid out by Kobori Enshu.  The designer of Ko-Hojo garden also called Nyoshin-tei with sharp stones protruding from the sands is unknown, though also possibly Kobori Enshu as well.
    nanzenji-6.jpg
  • Sogenchi Pond Garden - Tenryuji has been ranked first among Kyoto's "Five Great Zen Temples".  Muso Soseki, the temple's founding abbot and famous garden designer, created Tenryuji's landscape garden which, unlike the temple buildings, survived the many fires and is considered one of the oldest of its kind.  This is a "borrowed landscape" garden, taking in the background scenery of the hills of  Arashiyama as part of the garden's composition. Sogenchi pond and Ishigumi rock clusters in the garden are this pond garden's main ingredients and what makes it so special.
    tenryuji-13.jpg
  • Hokokuji Zen Garden -  Hokoku-ji  is famous for its bamboo garden Its nickname is Take-dera "Bamboo Temple" for that reason.  Besides the popular bamboo garden, and teahouse, Hokokuji also has a often overlooked Zen garden   Ashikaga Ietoki, ordered Zen priest Tengan Eko to establish Hokoku-ji. This temple became the family temple of the Ashikaga clan. Tengan was a disciple of Mugaku Sogen a contemporary of famous garden designer Muso Kokushi.
    hokokuji-zen-2.jpg
  • Jomyoji, a Rinzai Zen Buddhist temple in Kamakura, was founded by the influential Ashikaga clan.  Jomyo-ji’s main hall sits at the end of a garden and houses a statue of  Buddha. Jomyoji also has a restored tea house Kisen-an where visitors can enjoy the view of the zen karesansui garden.  For its role in Japanese history, Jomyo-ji is named a National Historical Site by the government of Japan.
    jomyoji-8.jpg
  • Nanzen-ji is a the headquarters of the Nanzen-ji branch of Rinzai Zen Buddhism.  The compounds of Nanzen-ji are nationally designated Historic Sites and the Hojo gardens a Place of Scenic Beauty and also a National Treasure of Japan.  Hojo-teien karesansui garden is said to have been laid out by Kobori Enshu.  The designer of Ko-Hojo garden also called Nyoshin-tei with sharp stones protruding from the sands is unknown, though also possibly Kobori Enshu as well.
    nanzenji-5.jpg
  • Jomyoji Zen Garden - Jomyoji, a Rinzai Zen Buddhist temple in Kamakura, was founded by the influential Ashikaga clan.  Jomyo-ji’s main hall sits at the end of a garden and houses a statue of  Buddha. Jomyoji also has a restored tea house Kisen-an where visitors can enjoy the view of the zen karesansui garden.  For its role in Japanese history, Jomyo-ji is named a National Historical Site by the government of Japan.
    jomyoji-10.jpg
  • Shobo-ji  Zen Garden - Shobo-ji was established in 754 by a monk called Chii - a disciple of Ganjin, who built Toshidai-ji in Nara.  Like many temples in Kyoto, Shobo-ji was burned during the wars, then reconstructed in 1615. The temple has two interesting zen gardens, particularly the "Beasts and Birds Garden” named after the shape of some of its rocks. The temple grounds are elevated compared to the rest of the valley, which gives a view of the surrounding area wthat incorporates borrowed scenery such as the distant mountains into the overall garden design.  Shobo-ji pays particular attention to flowers; ikebana can be seen on the temple grounds and in the buildings. In addition, the tsukubai water basin is usually decorated with flowers as well.
    shobo-ji-17.jpg
  • Jomyoji, a Rinzai Zen Buddhist temple in Kamakura, was founded by the influential Ashikaga clan.  Jomyo-ji’s main hall sits at the end of a garden and houses a statue of  Buddha. Jomyoji also has a restored tea house Kisen-an where visitors can enjoy the view of the zen karesansui garden.  For its role in Japanese history, Jomyo-ji is named a National Historical Site by the government of Japan.
    jomyoji-7.jpg
  • Sanbo-in is a Buddhist temple in southern Kyoto, famous for the quality of its Japanese garden.  The garden is designed as a strolling garden with a large pond and several paths and bridges and said to contain over 700 stones.  One of the stones, called the Fujito, is said to have cost over 5,000 bushels of rice to obtain. Sanb-in is also a noteworthy illustration of a landscape garden which is designed for viewing from a specific perspective within a building. Laid out in the Momoyama period, the garden depicts "fortuitous crane," the "tortoise" and the "isle of eternal youth" poetic terms that identify specific ways in which stones and ponds are poised in a prescribed, esoteric relationship. .Toyotomi Hideyoshi designed this garden as a venue for an extravagant cherry blossom viewing party.  Sanbo-in is subtemple of Daigoji, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and National Treasure of Japan. IMAGE UNAVAILABLE FOR SALE IN JAPAN
    sanbo-in-4.jpg
  • Eirinji or Eirinji Jokoden Temple located in Shimo-Yugi in Hachioji Tokyo.  The temple is selected as one of Hachioji Hachiji-Hakkei 88 Scenic Places in Hachioji.   Eirinji is a temple of the Soto sect of Zen Buddhism. The main object of worship is Dakini Sonten.  Passing through the three gates of Somon, Romon and Suzakumon, you will reach the main hall. On a hill behind the main hall is the ruin of Oishi Sadahisa‘s old residence, as well as a magnificent dry zen garden that is rarely open to the public but can be seen from the corner of the main temple building. The temple is attributed to Oishi Sadahisa, a powerful warrior in the Warring States period 1493-1573. When Sadahisa moved to Takiyama Castle with which the temple is associated, he founded Eirinji here. Later when Tokugawa Ieyasu moved to the Kanto region, he praised the grove in the precinct of this temple.  Surrounding the temple grounds are hills planted with various types of shrubs, including azaleas that bloom in spring with color
    eirinji-hachioji-3.jpg
  • Jomyoji, a Rinzai Zen Buddhist temple in Kamakura, was founded by the influential Ashikaga clan.  Jomyo-ji’s main hall sits at the end of a garden and houses a statue of  Buddha. Jomyoji also has a restored tea house Kisen-an where visitors can enjoy the view of the zen karesansui garden.  For its role in Japanese history, Jomyo-ji is named a National Historical Site by the government of Japan.
    jomyoji-3.jpg
  • The Chouontei "the garden of the sound of the tide" is a simple and refined Zen garden nestled behind the main building of Kenninji Temple. The garden's San-zon-seki a set of 3 stones that represent Buddha and 2 Zen monks. Zazen-seki, a stone for seated meditation and maple trees are all placed to give the visitor a beautiful view from each direction.
    kenninji-12.jpg
  • Ryogen-in is a subtemple of the Daitokuji Zen Buddhist complex in Kyoto,  It was constructed in 1502.  There are five gardens adjoining the abbot's residence, including Totekiko claimed to be the smallest Japanese rock garden, Isshi-dan, Koda-tei and Ryogin-tei a moss covered garden which claims to be the oldest garden in Daitoku-ji, and has been attributed to the renowned garden designer Soami.
    ryogen-in-5.jpg
  • Shobo-ji  Zen Garden - Shobo-ji was established in 754 by a monk called Chii - a disciple of Ganjin, who built Toshidai-ji in Nara.  Like many temples in Kyoto, Shobo-ji was burned during the wars, then reconstructed in 1615. The temple has two interesting zen gardens, particularly the "Beasts and Birds Garden” named after the shape of some of its rocks. The temple grounds are elevated compared to the rest of the valley, which gives a view of the surrounding area wthat incorporates borrowed scenery such as the distant mountains into the overall garden design.  Shobo-ji pays particular attention to flowers; ikebana can be seen on the temple grounds and in the buildings. In addition, the tsukubai water basin is usually decorated with flowers as well.
    shobo-ji-10.jpg
  • Entoku-in Garden was originally part of Fushimijo Castle and also a sub-temple of Kodaiji Temple. It was founded by a nephew of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. The northern dry garden shows the essence of Momoyama style and is a registered National Place of Scenic Beauty by the Japanese government. It was built in 1605 and dedicated as a Rinzai sect temple in 1633..
    entoku-in-8.jpg
  • Ryoanji Temple zen garden is one of the world's best known gardens. The temple's main attraction is its rock garden - the most famous of its kind in Japan. The simple garden consist of nothing but rocks, moss and neatly raked gravel. The meaning of the garden's arrangement is up to each visitor's interpretation, though it is said that if you can see all of the fifteen stones at one time, you will have reached enlightenment.
    ryoanji-7.jpg
  • Hokokuji Temple in Kamakaura is one of the few zen temples with a traditional garden in Kamakura, where the rocks, bamboo groves, zen garden, trees and plants are blended with the hills and natural background of the landscape.
    hokokuji-1.jpg
  • Hokokuji Temple in Kamakaura is one of the few zen temples with a traditional garden in Kamakura, where the rocks, bamboo groves, zen garden, trees and plants are blended with the hills and natural background of the landscape.
    hokokuji-4.jpg
  • Tenryuji Garden has been ranked first among Kyoto's "Five Great Zen Temples". Tenryuji was established in 1339, and like many other temples burnt down several times over its history. Muso Soseki, the temple's founding abbot and famous garden designer, created Tenryuji's landscape garden which, unlike the temple buildings, survived the many fires and is considered one of the oldest of its kind, that is "borrowed landscape" garden, taking in the background scenery of the hills of  Arashiyama as part of the garden's composition. Sogenchi pond and Ishigumi rock clusters in the garden are this pond garden's essential ingredients.
    tenryuji-1.jpg
  • Shobo-ji  Zen Garden - Shobo-ji was established in 754 by a monk called Chii - a disciple of Ganjin, who built Toshidai-ji in Nara.  Like many temples in Kyoto, Shobo-ji was burned during the wars, then reconstructed in 1615. The temple has two interesting zen gardens, particularly the "Beasts and Birds Garden” named after the shape of some of its rocks. The temple grounds are elevated compared to the rest of the valley, which gives a view of the surrounding area wthat incorporates borrowed scenery such as the distant mountains into the overall garden design.  Shobo-ji pays particular attention to flowers; ikebana can be seen on the temple grounds and in the buildings. In addition, the tsukubai water basin is usually decorated with flowers as well.
    shobo-ji-03.jpg
  • Eirinji or Eirinji Jokoden Temple located in Shimo-Yugi in Hachioji Tokyo.  The temple is selected as one of Hachioji Hachiji-Hakkei 88 Scenic Places in Hachioji.   Eirinji is a temple of the Soto sect of Zen Buddhism. The main object of worship is Dakini Sonten.  Passing through the three gates of Somon, Romon and Suzakumon, you will reach the main hall. On a hill behind the main hall is the ruin of Oishi Sadahisa‘s old residence, as well as a magnificent dry zen garden that is rarely open to the public but can be seen from the corner of the main temple building. The temple is attributed to Oishi Sadahisa, a powerful warrior in the Warring States period 1493-1573. When Sadahisa moved to Takiyama Castle with which the temple is associated, he founded Eirinji here. Later when Tokugawa Ieyasu moved to the Kanto region, he praised the grove in the precinct of this temple.  Surrounding the temple grounds are hills planted with various types of shrubs, including azaleas that bloom in spring with color
    eirinji-hachioji-7.jpg
  • Ryoanji - The Temple of the Dragon at Peace - is a Zen temple located in Kyoto well known for its famous zen garden.  The garden is thought to have been built in the late 15th century and consists of raked gravel and fifteen moss covered boulders, which are placed so that, when looking at the garden from any angle only fourteen of the boulders are visible at one time. It is said that only through attaining enlightenment could you be able to view the fifteenth boulder.
    ryoanji-4.jpg
  • Entoku-in Garden was originally part of Fushimijo Castle and also a sub-temple of Kodaiji Temple. It was founded by a nephew of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. The northern dry garden shows the essence of Momoyama style and is a registered National Place of Scenic Beauty by the Japanese government. It was built in 1605 and dedicated as a Rinzai sect temple in 1633..
    entoku-in-1.jpg
  • Sanbo-in is a Buddhist temple in southern Kyoto, famous for the quality of its Japanese garden.  The garden is designed as a strolling garden with a large pond and several paths and bridges and said to contain over 700 stones.  One of the stones, called the Fujito, is said to have cost over 5,000 bushels of rice to obtain. Sanb-in is also a noteworthy illustration of a landscape garden which is designed for viewing from a specific perspective within a building. Laid out in the Momoyama period, the garden depicts "fortuitous crane," the "tortoise" and the "isle of eternal youth" poetic terms that identify specific ways in which stones and ponds are poised in a prescribed, esoteric relationship. .Toyotomi Hideyoshi designed this garden as a venue for an extravagant cherry blossom viewing party.  Sanbo-in is subtemple of Daigoji, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and National Treasure of Japan.IMAGE UNAVAILABLE FOR SALE IN JAPAN
    sanbo-in-7.jpg
  • Yoko-en Garden at Taizo-in Temple displays both elegance and austerity and has been called one of the Showa era's finest gardens. The landscape gardener Nakane Kinsaku designed this expansive garden.  While difficult to see at a glance, great pains have gone into the details. An example of this is the spacious impression one gets when the garden is viewed from the front.
    taizo-in-7.jpg
  • Shobo-ji Zen Garden - Shobo-ji was established in 754 by a monk called Chii - a disciple of Ganjin, who built Toshidai-ji in Nara.  Like many temples in Kyoto, Shobo-ji was burned during the wars, then reconstructed in 1615. The temple has two interesting zen gardens, particularly the "Beasts and Birds Garden” named after the shape of some of its rocks. The temple grounds are elevated compared to the rest of the valley, which gives a view of the surrounding area wthat incorporates borrowed scenery such as the distant mountains into the overall garden design.  Shobo-ji pays particular attention to flowers; ikebana can be seen on the temple grounds and in the buildings. In addition, the tsukubai water basin is usually decorated with flowers as well.
    shobo-ji-06.jpg
  • Entoku-in Garden was originally part of Fushimijo Castle and also a sub-temple of Kodaiji Temple. It was founded by a nephew of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. The northern dry garden shows the essence of Momoyama style and is a registered National Place of Scenic Beauty by the Japanese government. It was built in 1605 and dedicated as a Rinzai sect temple in 1633..
    entoku-in-6.jpg
  • Entoku-in Nantei, Southern Garden - Entoku-in Garden was originally part of Fushimijo Castle and also a sub-temple of Kodaiji Temple. It was founded by a nephew of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. The northern dry garden shows the essence of Momoyama style and is a registered National Place of Scenic Beauty by the Japanese government. It was built in 1605 and dedicated as a Rinzai sect temple in 1633..
    entoku-in-7.jpg
  • Hokokuji Garden Stone Lantern - Ishidoro lanterns are usually used to decorate Japanese gardens, shrines and temples rather than for providing light, although occasionally they are lit up with candles inside during festivals.   Ishidoro Lanterns were introduced to Japan via China in the 6th century.  The earliest lanterns, found only in temple grounds, were designed to hold the flame representing Buddha.  Light  helps us overcome the darkness of ignorance. Ishidoro were originally used at temples, gardens and shrines.  Around the 16th century stone lanterns were adopted  and placed in the gardens of teahouses.
    hokokuji-12.jpg
  • Ryoanji Temple garden is one of the world's best known gardens. The main attraction is its rock garden, the most renowned of its kind in Japan. The simple Zen garden consist of nothing but rocks and neatly raked gravel. Though the meaning of the garden's arrangement is unknown and up to each visitor's interpretation it is said that if you can see all of the 15 stones at one time you have reached enlightenment.
    ryoanji-crop.jpg
  • Dry Garden at Shunpu Banriso - . Outside the tea ceremony room at Shunpu Banriso there is a stone garden imitating Ryoanji. The garden was created when thie building was relocated from Kamakura, so it was not originally in the house – the well-maintained dry mountain garden.  Although it is often said that the garden imitates Ryoanji, but it has also been compared to Myorenji Garden as well.  Shunpu Banriso is a branch of the Kasama Nichido Museum.
    shunpu-banriso-07.jpg
  • Tenjuan Temple Garden - Tenjuan Temple is a small subtemple of Nanzenji dedicated to the Zen master who served Emperor Kameyama in his religious studies. Tenju-an has a main hall and study which date back to the early 17th century. Tenjuan is noteworthy for its two gardens, a rock garden and an adjacent pond garden, which are particularly attractive during autumn. The dry karesansui garden has unusual patterns normally not found in karesansui zen gardens.
    tenju-an-3.jpg
  • At Kodai-ji temple there are several formal gardens designed by Kobori Enshu, who was an architect and master Zen gardener, as well as a master of calligraphy, poetry, and tea ceremony.  Kodaiji's south garden is a karesansui, or dry rock garden featuring a large area of raked gravel that is punctuated by conical gravel formations and surrounded by a border of moss and stone. The raked gravel of a karesansui is meant to evoke the ripple patterns that form in water.
    kodaiji-8.jpg
  • Ryogen-in, the head temple of the South School of Rinzai-shu Daitoku-ji sect, has a collection of zen gardens. The most interesting would be Ryogin-tei, a moss covered Karesansui that was laid out in the early 16th century.
    ryogen-in-6.jpg
  • Yoko-en Zen Garden, Depecting Heaven and Hell - Yoko-en Garden at Taizo-in Temple displays both elegance and austerity - the basis for traditional garden landscapes, and can be called one of the Showa period's finest gardens. The landscape gardener Nakane Kinsaku designed this expansive garden.  While difficult to see at a glance, great pains have gone into the details. An example of this is the spacious impression one gets when the garden is viewed from the front.
    taizo-in-9.jpg
  • Dry Garden at Shunpu Banriso - . Outside the tea ceremony room at Shunpu Banriso there is a stone garden imitating Ryoanji. The garden was created when thie building was relocated from Kamakura, so it was not originally in the house – the well-maintained dry mountain garden.  Although it is often said that the garden imitates Ryoanji, but it has also been compared to Myorenji Garden as well.  Shunpu Banriso is a branch of the Kasama Nichido Museum.
    shunpu-banriso-05.jpg
  • Entoku-in Garden was originally part of Fushimijo Castle and also a sub-temple of Kodaiji Temple. It was founded by a nephew of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. The northern dry garden shows the essence of Momoyama style and is a registered National Place of Scenic Beauty by the Japanese government. It was built in 1605 and dedicated as a Rinzai sect temple in 1633..
    entoku-in-4.jpg
  • Ryogen-in, the head temple of the South School of Rinzai-shu Daitoku-ji sect, has a collection of zen gardens. The most interesting would be Ryogin-tei, a moss covered Karesansui that was laid out in the early 16th century.
    ryogen-in-3.jpg
  • Dry Garden at Shunpu Banriso - . Outside the tea ceremony room at Shunpu Banriso there is a stone garden imitating Ryoanji. The garden was created when thie building was relocated from Kamakura, so it was not originally in the house – the well-maintained dry mountain garden.  Although it is often said that the garden imitates Ryoanji, but it has also been compared to Myorenji Garden as well.  Shunpu Banriso is a branch of the Kasama Nichido Museum.
    shunpu-banriso-04.jpg
  • At Kodai-ji temple there are several formal gardens designed by Kobori Enshu, a master Zen gardener.   Kodaiji's south garden is a karesansui, or dry rock garden featuring a large area of raked gravel,  punctuated by conical gravel formations and surrounded by a border of moss and stone. The raked gravel of a karesansui is meant to evoke the ripple patterns that form in water.
    kodaiji-1.jpg
  • Dry Garden at Shunpu Banriso - . Outside the tea ceremony room at Shunpu Banriso there is a stone garden imitating Ryoanji. The garden was created when thie building was relocated from Kamakura, so it was not originally in the house – the well-maintained dry mountain garden.  Although it is often said that the garden imitates Ryoanji, but it has also been compared to Myorenji Garden as well.  Shunpu Banriso is a branch of the Kasama Nichido Museum.
    shunpu-banriso-09.jpg
  • The large rock garden at the main temple hall, the Hondo is of type meaning "dry mountains and water" style. Inside the hondo  itself are many painted sliding doors from renowned artist Hashimoto Kansetsu.
    kenninji-1.jpg
  • Entoku-in Garden was originally part of Fushimijo Castle and also a sub-temple of Kodaiji Temple. It was founded by a nephew of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. The northern dry garden shows the essence of Momoyama style and is a registered National Place of Scenic Beauty by the Japanese government. It was built in 1605 and dedicated as a Rinzai sect temple in 1633..
    entoku-in-3.jpg
  • The large rock garden at the main temple hall, the Hondo is of type meaning "dry mountains and water" style. Inside the hondo  itself are many painted sliding doors from renowned artist Hashimoto Kansetsu.
    kenninji-4.jpg
  • Depicting Heaven and Hell at Yoko-en Garden at Taizo-in Temple displays both elegance and austerity - the basis for traditional garden landscapes, and can be called one of the Showa period's most exquisite gardens. Nakane Kinsaku designed this expansive garden.  Difficult to see at a glance, great pains have gone into the details. An example of this is the spacious impression one gets when the garden is viewed from the front.
    taizo-in-8.jpg
  • Ryogen-tei Garden at Ryogen-in which has a collection of Zen gardens. The most interesting would be Ryogin-tei, a Karesansui or dry garden designed and laid out in the early 16th century.
    ryogen-in-1.jpg
  • Jodoji Temple Garden is a tsukiyama garden that uses the natural hillside and its waterfall as background scenery with the focal point a small pond at its foot. <br />
There is a tea room called Ruizudari which is mostly original though it was renovated and revived in 1999.
    AMBER-LOTUS-2023-71.jpg
  • Dry Stone Garden at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine - The garden was created in 1980 to commemorate the 800th anniversary of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine.  The adjacent peony garden features large stones which were a gift to the shrine from the Chinese government.  This peony garden was laid out by Chinese workmen along traditional lines.  The dry garden was created along Japanese lines similar to Zen karesansui gardens, although Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine is a shinto shrine which honors various gods, and has little to do with Zen Buddhism.
    tsurugaoka-peony-8.jpg
  • Dry Stone Garden at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine - The garden was created in 1980 to commemorate the 800th anniversary of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine.  The adjacent peony garden features large stones which were a gift to the shrine from the Chinese government.  This peony garden was laid out by Chinese workmen along traditional lines.  The dry garden was created along Japanese lines similar to Zen karesansui gardens, although Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine is a shinto shrine which honors various gods, and has little to do with Zen Buddhism.
    tsurugaoka-peony-1.jpg
  • Hokokuji Temple in Kamakaura is one of the few zen temples with a traditional garden in Kamakura, where the rocks, bamboo groves, zen garden, trees and plants are blended with the hills and natural background of the landscape.
    amber-lotus-2.jpg
  • Joshinji Zen Garden - The Hondo main hall at Joshin-ji Temple was built in 1759 and has a striking zen garden next to the hall, one of the very few dry karesansui gardens in Tokyo. Joshin-ji Temple, also known as Kuhonbutsu is a large Jodo sect Buddhist temple in Jiyugaoka Tokyo.  The temple was established in 1678 and still maintains its original buildings . The grounds contain some of Tokyo’s oldest trees a few more than 700 years old.  Jōshin-ji is the home of the three Buddha Halls in front of the main Hall, devoted to Amida Buddha.  Each of the tall statues shows a different hand position, also known as Mudra, which have a symbolic meaning in esoteric Buddhism.  These Buddha Statues were the craftwork of the great master Kaseki Shonin who devoted his life to create nine different manifestations of the Amida Buddha.  The Niohmon Gate was completed in 1793. It houses a pair of fierce guardian divinities. Joshinji Kuhon Butsu is not listed as a tourist attraction and maintains its serenity as a working Jodo Buddhist temple without charing admissions, fees nor restrictions on entering.
    daisuke-joshinji-4.jpg
  • Dry Stone Garden at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine - The garden was created in 1980 to commemorate the 800th anniversary of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine.  The adjacent peony garden features large stones which were a gift to the shrine from the Chinese government.  This peony garden was laid out by Chinese workmen along traditional lines.  The dry garden was created along Japanese lines similar to Zen karesansui gardens, although Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine is a shinto shrine which honors various gods, and has little to do with Zen Buddhism.
    tsurugaoka-peony-6.jpg
  • Ryogen-in, the head temple of the South School of Rinzai-shu Daitoku-ji sect, has a collection of zen gardens including Ryogin-tei a Karesansui or Zen garden laid out in the early 16th century.
    ryogen-in-2.jpg
  • Nanzenji is of the most powerful Zen monasteries in Japan, as it was counted among the Gozan, the five principal Zen establishments in Kyoto, and in 1381 was declared number one. Its main garden is a large rectangle of crushed rock, and can be viewed from verandas of Seiryoden Hall.  Along the eastern wall is a moss covered area containing large stones and shrubs, these elements arranged from north to south. Because Nanzenji is located just below the slope of Higashiyama, the view of the garden includes the borrowed scenery of the hillside. The shape of the boulders has led some to assume that they represent "leaping tigers" following the Kano School paintings of tigers decorating the sliding doors of the Seiryoden Hall.
    nanzenji-4.jpg
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