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  • Jisso-in Tsukabaim kakei, water basin, tsukubai, japanese basin, chozubachi, chozuya, temizuya, tsukubai, Japanese Water Basin, Tranquility;  Simplicity; serene, serenity, exterior space, nature, pattern, scenic, visual effect, no people, scenery, tranquil, tranquility, calm, historic sites, natural light, natural beauty, spirituality, simplicity, natural, landscapes, inspiration, inspiring, calming, calms, contemplative, meditative, mellow, peaceful, pleasant, beautiful, calmness,  idyllic, ideal, peacefulness, serenity, serene, nobody,
    tsukabai-60.jpg
  • Arare Path at Jikoin, Nara  - Jiko-in was founded in 1663 by Sekishu Katagiri, a feudal lord of the area who mastered the way of Zen Buddhism and tea ceremony.  He believed that tea ceremony was part of his meditation regime, and so constructed a tea ceremony room and garden for this purpose.  The garden is well known for its elaborate shrubbery - and also includes a larger view of the Yamato plain and hills, contrasted with the temple, tea room, trees, stones, shrubs and grass.  Jiko-in is also very unique in that it is a rare exception that visitors can wander around the shrubs and dry rock garden.  Included in the cost of entry is matcha tea and sweets.
    jikoin-20.jpg
  • Jikoin Teahouse - Jiko-in was founded in 1663 by Sekishu Katagiri, a feudal lord of the area who mastered the way of Zen Buddhism and tea ceremony.  He believed that tea ceremony was part of his meditation regime, and so constructed a tea ceremony room and garden for this purpose.  The garden is well known for its elaborate shrubbery - and also includes a larger view of the Yamato plain and hills, contrasted with the temple, tea room, trees, stones, shrubs and grass.  Jiko-in is also very unique in that it is a rare exception that visitors can wander around the shrubs and dry rock garden.  Included in the cost of entry is matcha tea and sweets.
    jikoin-5.jpg
  • Jiko-in was founded in 1663 by Sekishu Katagiri, a feudal lord of the area who mastered the way of Zen Buddhism and tea ceremony.  He believed that tea ceremony was part of his meditation regime, and so constructed a tea ceremony room and garden for this purpose.  The garden is well known for its elaborate shrubbery - and also includes a larger view of the Yamato plain and hills, contrasted with the temple, tea room, trees, stones, shrubs and grass.  Jiko-in is also very unique in that it is a rare exception that visitors can wander around the shrubs and dry rock garden.  Included in the cost of entry is matcha tea and sweets.
    jikoin-14.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
  • Jiko-in was founded in 1663 by Sekishu Katagiri, a feudal lord of the area who mastered the way of Zen Buddhism and tea ceremony.  He believed that tea ceremony was part of his meditation regime, and so constructed a tea ceremony room and garden for this purpose.  The garden is well known for its elaborate shrubbery - and also includes a larger view of the Yamato plain and hills, contrasted with the temple, tea room, trees, stones, shrubs and grass.  Jiko-in is also very unique in that it is a rare exception that visitors can wander around the shrubs and dry rock garden.  Included in the cost of entry is matcha tea and sweets.
    jikoin-10.jpg
  • Jiko-in was founded in 1663 by Sekishu Katagiri, a feudal lord of the area who mastered the way of Zen Buddhism and tea ceremony.  He believed that tea ceremony was part of his meditation regime, and so constructed a tea ceremony room and garden for this purpose.  The garden is well known for its elaborate shrubbery - and also includes a larger view of the Yamato plain and hills, contrasted with the temple, tea room, trees, stones, shrubs and grass.  Jiko-in is also very unique in that it is a rare exception that visitors can wander around the shrubs and dry rock garden.  Included in the cost of entry is matcha tea and sweets.
    jikoin-6.jpg
  • Jiko-in was founded in 1663 by Sekishu Katagiri, a feudal lord of the area who mastered the way of Zen Buddhism and tea ceremony.  He believed that tea ceremony was part of his meditation regime, and so constructed a tea ceremony room and garden for this purpose.  The garden is well known for its elaborate shrubbery - and also includes a larger view of the Yamato plain and hills, contrasted with the temple, tea room, trees, stones, shrubs and grass.  Jiko-in is also very unique in that it is a rare exception that visitors can wander around the shrubs and dry rock garden.  Included in the cost of entry is matcha tea and sweets.
    jikoin-11.jpg
  • Jiko-in was founded in 1663 by Sekishu Katagiri, a feudal lord of the area who mastered the way of Zen Buddhism and tea ceremony.  He believed that tea ceremony was part of his meditation regime, and so constructed a tea ceremony room and garden for this purpose.  The garden is well known for its elaborate shrubbery - and also includes a larger view of the Yamato plain and hills, contrasted with the temple, tea room, trees, stones, shrubs and grass.  Jiko-in is also very unique in that it is a rare exception that visitors can wander around the shrubs and dry rock garden.  Included in the cost of entry is matcha tea and sweets.
    jikoin-9.jpg
  • Chouontei “garden of the sound of the tide” is a refined garden nestled behind Kenninji Temple. The garden's san-zon-seki - a set of three stones that represent Buddha and two disciples.  Zazen-seki, a stone for seated meditation and maple trees are placed to afford the visitor a beautiful view from each direction.
    kenninji-7.jpg
  • Jikoin Tatami and Teahouse - Jiko-in was founded in 1663 by Sekishu Katagiri, a feudal lord of the area who mastered the way of Zen Buddhism and tea ceremony.  He believed that tea ceremony was part of his meditation regime, and so constructed a tea ceremony room and garden for this purpose.  The garden is well known for its elaborate shrubbery - and also includes a larger view of the Yamato plain and hills, contrasted with the temple, tea room, trees, stones, shrubs and grass.  Jiko-in is also very unique in that it is a rare exception that visitors can wander around the shrubs and dry rock garden.  Included in the cost of entry is matcha tea and sweets.
    jikoin-19.jpg
  • Jiko-in was founded in 1663 by Sekishu Katagiri, a feudal lord of the area who mastered the way of Zen Buddhism and tea ceremony.  He believed that tea ceremony was part of his meditation regime, and so constructed a tea ceremony room and garden for this purpose.  The garden is well known for its elaborate shrubbery - and also includes a larger view of the Yamato plain and hills, contrasted with the temple, tea room, trees, stones, shrubs and grass.  Jiko-in is also very unique in that it is a rare exception that visitors can wander around the shrubs and dry rock garden.  Included in the cost of entry is matcha tea and sweets.
    jikoin-12.jpg
  • Engakuji garden was restored in 1969 according to an old drawing. Originally, Zen Buddhism regarded gardens as microcosms of the natural landscape and gardening to be a form of meditation.  Engakuji this is a fine example of borrowed scenery style of Japanese gardens.
    engakuji-garden-2.jpg
  • Jiko-in was founded in 1663 by Sekishu Katagiri, a feudal lord of the area who mastered the way of Zen Buddhism and tea ceremony.  He believed that tea ceremony was part of his meditation regime, and so constructed a tea ceremony room and garden for this purpose.  The garden is well known for its elaborate shrubbery - and also includes a larger view of the Yamato plain and hills, contrasted with the temple, tea room, trees, stones, shrubs and grass.  Jiko-in is also very unique in that it is a rare exception that visitors can wander around the shrubs and dry rock garden.  Included in the cost of entry is matcha tea and sweets.
    jikoin-17.jpg
  • 30. Rinnoji 輪王寺 - Rinnoji Temple was founded in 766 AD by the Buddhist hermit monk Shodo Shonin.  Rinnoji quickly became a popular retreat for ascetic monks who wished to meditate in the mountains.  It was once so important that it had 500 sub-temples under its rule.  Rinnoji is best known for its Sanbutsudoh Three Buddha Hall and the beautiful Japanese meditation garden Shoyo-en on its grounds.  The layout at Shoyo-en is modeled after Lake Biwa, showing the Japanese knack for representation through reduction and miniaturization.
    31.1.NIKKO-RINNOJI-SHOYOEN.jpg
  • Jiko-in was founded in 1663 by Sekishu Katagiri, a feudal lord of the area who mastered the way of Zen Buddhism and tea ceremony.  He believed that tea ceremony was part of his meditation regime, and so constructed a tea ceremony room and garden for this purpose.  The garden is well known for its elaborate shrubbery - and also includes a larger view of the Yamato plain and hills, contrasted with the temple, tea room, trees, stones, shrubs and grass.  Jiko-in is also very unique in that it is a rare exception that visitors can wander around the shrubs and dry rock garden.  Included in the cost of entry is matcha tea and sweets.
    jikoin-8.jpg
  • Rev Takafumi Kawakami is the vice-abbot at Shunkoin Temple and teaches classes about Zen culture and meditation and serves as a bridge between the Eastern and Western cultures. Here Rev Takafumi is raking the temple's Zen Garden. The Garden of Bolders, or Sazareishi-no-niwa, is the main garden of Shunkoin. The theme of the garden is the Great Shrine of Ise in Mie Prefecture. The Great Shrine of Ise is the head shrine of all Shinto shrines in Japan.
    japanese-gardener-2.jpg
  • Jiko-in was founded in 1663 by Sekishu Katagiri, a feudal lord of the area who mastered the way of Zen Buddhism and tea ceremony.  He believed that tea ceremony was part of his meditation regime, and so constructed a tea ceremony room and garden for this purpose.  The garden is well known for its elaborate shrubbery - and also includes a larger view of the Yamato plain and hills, contrasted with the temple, tea room, trees, stones, shrubs and grass.  Jiko-in is also very unique in that it is a rare exception that visitors can wander around the shrubs and dry rock garden.  Included in the cost of entry is matcha tea and sweets.
    jikoin-15.jpg
  • Chouontei “garden of the sound of the tide” is a refined garden nestled behind Kenninji Temple. The garden's san-zon-seki - a set of three stones that represent Buddha and two disciples.  Zazen-seki, a stone for seated meditation and maple trees are placed to afford the visitor a beautiful view from each direction.
    kenninji-5.jpg
  • Chouontei “garden of the sound of the tide” is a refined garden nestled behind Kenninji Temple. The garden's san-zon-seki - a set of three stones that represent Buddha and two disciples.  Zazen-seki, a stone for seated meditation and maple trees are placed to afford the visitor a beautiful view from each direction.
    kenninji-6.jpg
  • Arare Path at Jikoin, Nara  - Jiko-in was founded in 1663 by Sekishu Katagiri, a feudal lord of the area who mastered the way of Zen Buddhism and tea ceremony.  He believed that tea ceremony was part of his meditation regime, and so constructed a tea ceremony room and garden for this purpose.  The garden is well known for its elaborate shrubbery - and also includes a larger view of the Yamato plain and hills, contrasted with the temple, tea room, trees, stones, shrubs and grass.  Jiko-in is also very unique in that it is a rare exception that visitors can wander around the shrubs and dry rock garden.  Included in the cost of entry is matcha tea and sweets.
    jikoin-21.jpg
  • Jiko-in was founded in 1663 by Sekishu Katagiri, a feudal lord of the area who mastered the way of Zen Buddhism and tea ceremony.  He believed that tea ceremony was part of his meditation regime, and so constructed a tea ceremony room and garden for this purpose.  The garden is well known for its elaborate shrubbery - and also includes a larger view of the Yamato plain and hills, contrasted with the temple, tea room, trees, stones, shrubs and grass.  Jiko-in is also very unique in that it is a rare exception that visitors can wander around the shrubs and dry rock garden.  Included in the cost of entry is matcha tea and sweets.
    jikoin-4.jpg
  • Jiko-in was founded in 1663 by Sekishu Katagiri, a feudal lord of the area who mastered the way of Zen Buddhism and tea ceremony.  He believed that tea ceremony was part of his meditation regime, and so constructed a tea ceremony room and garden for this purpose.  The garden is well known for its elaborate shrubbery - and also includes a larger view of the Yamato plain and hills, contrasted with the temple, tea room, trees, stones, shrubs and grass.  Jiko-in is also very unique in that it is a rare exception that visitors can wander around the shrubs and dry rock garden.  Included in the cost of entry is matcha tea and sweets.
    jikoin-3.jpg
  • Jiko-in was founded in 1663 by Sekishu Katagiri, a feudal lord of the area who mastered the way of Zen Buddhism and tea ceremony.  He believed that tea ceremony was part of his meditation regime, and so constructed a tea ceremony room and garden for this purpose.  The garden is well known for its elaborate shrubbery - and also includes a larger view of the Yamato plain and hills, contrasted with the temple, tea room, trees, stones, shrubs and grass.  Jiko-in is also very unique in that it is a rare exception that visitors can wander around the shrubs and dry rock garden.  Included in the cost of entry is matcha tea and sweets.
    jikoin-2.jpg
  • Jikoin Tatami and Teahouse - Jiko-in was founded in 1663 by Sekishu Katagiri, a feudal lord of the area who mastered the way of Zen Buddhism and tea ceremony.  He believed that tea ceremony was part of his meditation regime, and so constructed a tea ceremony room and garden for this purpose.  The garden is well known for its elaborate shrubbery - and also includes a larger view of the Yamato plain and hills, contrasted with the temple, tea room, trees, stones, shrubs and grass.  Jiko-in is also very unique in that it is a rare exception that visitors can wander around the shrubs and dry rock garden.
    jikoin-13.jpg
  • Jiko-in was founded in 1663 by Sekishu Katagiri, a feudal lord of the area who mastered the way of Zen Buddhism and tea ceremony.  He believed that tea ceremony was part of his meditation regime, and so constructed a tea ceremony room and garden for this purpose.  The garden is well known for its elaborate shrubbery - and also includes a larger view of the Yamato plain and hills, contrasted with the temple, tea room, trees, stones, shrubs and grass.  Jiko-in is also very unique in that it is a rare exception that visitors can wander around the shrubs and dry rock garden.  Included in the cost of entry is matcha tea and sweets.
    jikoin-7.jpg
  • Jiko-in was founded in 1663 by Sekishu Katagiri, a feudal lord of the area who mastered the way of Zen Buddhism and tea ceremony.  He believed that tea ceremony was part of his meditation regime, and so constructed a tea ceremony room and garden for this purpose.  The garden is well known for its elaborate shrubbery - and also includes a larger view of the Yamato plain and hills, contrasted with the temple, tea room, trees, stones, shrubs and grass.  Jiko-in is also very unique in that it is a rare exception that visitors can wander around the shrubs and dry rock garden.  Included in the cost of entry is matcha tea and sweets.
    jikoin-1.jpg
  • Japanese Gardener - Rev Takafumi Kawakami is the vice-abbot at Shunkoin Temple and teaches classes about Zen culture and meditation and serves as a bridge between Eastern and Western cultures. Here Rev Takafumi is raking the temple's Zen Garden. The Garden of Bolders, or Sazareishi-no-niwa, is the main garden of Shunkoin. The theme of the garden is the Great Shrine of Ise in Mie Prefecture. The Great Shrine of Ise is the head shrine of all Shinto shrines in Japan. This garden houses a shrine to Toyouke-no-omikami, a goddess of agriculture.
    japanese-gardener-1.jpg
  • The pond at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine is the one of the most famous spots in Kamakura for sakura viewing. The Five Peony Garden at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine - The garden was created in 1980 to commemorate the 800th anniversary of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine.  The peony garden features, in addition to 5 species of peony, large stones amongst which peonies are planted. These stones were a gift to the shrine from the Chinese government. Traditionally, peonies were always planted in China with special stones that come from the Taihu Lake in Jiangsu Province, China.  This garden was laid out by Chinese workmen along traditional lines.
    tsurugaoka-garden-08.jpg
  • The pond at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine is the one of the most famous spots in Kamakura for sakura viewing. The Five Peony Garden at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine - The garden was created in 1980 to commemorate the 800th anniversary of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine.  The peony garden features, in addition to 5 species of peony, large stones amongst which peonies are planted. These stones were a gift to the shrine from the Chinese government. Traditionally, peonies were always planted in China with special stones that come from the Taihu Lake in Jiangsu Province, China.  This garden was laid out by Chinese workmen along traditional lines.
    tsurugaoka-garden-07.jpg
  • The Adachi Museum of Art was based on the private collection of Zenko Adachi.  Adachi collected Japanese paintings, ceramics and scrolls.  Adachi himself was an aficionado of Japanese gardens and collected each pine tree and each stone for the garden himself from around Japan.   In this way he created a beautiful garden filled with his own vision and passion.  Adachi believed that Japanese gardens were "as beautiful as pictures” and even framed one of the gardens in one of the museums rooms as if it is a painting itself. Adachi Museum Garden has been selected as the best garden in Japan year after year since 2003, by the Journal of Japanese Gardens Shisai Project.
    adachi-garden-14.jpg
  • The Adachi Museum of Art was based on the private collection of Zenko Adachi.  Adachi collected Japanese paintings, ceramics and scrolls.  Adachi himself was an aficionado of Japanese gardens and collected each pine tree and each stone for the garden himself from around Japan.   In this way he created a beautiful garden filled with his own vision and passion.  Adachi believed that Japanese gardens were "as beautiful as pictures” and even framed one of the gardens in one of the museums rooms as if it is a painting itself. Adachi Museum Garden has been selected as the best garden in Japan year after year since 2003, by the Journal of Japanese Gardens Shisai Project.
    adachi-garden-03.jpg
  • Ritsurin is a landscape garden in Takamatsu  built by the local feudal lords during the Edo Period. Considered one of the finest gardens in Japan.  Ritsurin features many ponds, hills and pavilions set in front of wooded Mt. Shiun which serves as a background and example of borrowed scenery and Japanese gardening design.
    ritsurin-garden-07.jpg
  • Engetsukyo Bridge at Ritsurin - a landscape garden in Takamatsu  built by the local feudal lords during the Edo Period. Considered one of the finest gardens in Japan,  Ritsurin features many ponds, hills and pavilions set in front of wooded Mt. Shiun which serves as a background and example of borrowed scenery and Japanese gardening design.
    ritsurin-garden-15.jpg
  • Engetsukyo Bridge, or "full moon bridge" built in the Chinese style at Koishikawa Korakuen Garden in Tokyo.  It has this name because a full moon is formed by the arch of the bridge and its reflection in the pond beneath.
    koishikawa-korakuen-24.jpg
  • Ritsurin is a landscape garden in Takamatsu  built by the local feudal lords during the Edo Period. Considered one of the finest gardens in Japan,  Ritsurin features many ponds, hills and pavilions set in front of wooded Mt. Shiun which serves as a background and example of borrowed scenery and Japanese gardening design.
    ritsurin-garden-10.jpg
  • Koishikawa Korakuen Garden is one of Tokyo's oldest and most beautiful Japanese landscape gardens. It was built by close relatives of the Tokugawa Shogun in the early Edo Period..Like most traditional Japanese gardens, Koishikawa Korakuen attempts to reproduce famous landscapes from China and Japan in miniature, using a pond, stones, plants and a man made hill.
    koishikawa-korakuen-23.jpg
  • Ninomaru garden was designed by the famous landscape architect and tea master, Kobori Enshu. It is located between the two main rings of fortifications, next to the palace of the same name. The garden has a large pond with three islands and features numerous carefully placed stones and topiary pine trees.  Nijo Castle and its garden are a UNESCO World Heritage site.
    ninomaru-7.jpg
  • Engetsukyo Bridge at Ritsurin - a landscape garden in Takamatsu built by the local feudal lord during the Edo Period and considered one of the most esquisite gardens in Japan,  Ritsurin features ponds, hills and pavilions set in the woods which acts as background and a textbook example of borrowed scenery.
    ritsurin-garden-16.jpg
  • The pond at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine is the one of the most famous spots in Kamakura for sakura viewing. The Five Peony Garden at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine - The garden was created in 1980 to commemorate the 800th anniversary of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine.  The peony garden features, in addition to 5 species of peony, large stones amongst which peonies are planted. These stones were a gift to the shrine from the Chinese government. Traditionally, peonies were always planted in China with special stones that come from the Taihu Lake in Jiangsu Province, China.  This garden was laid out by Chinese workmen along traditional lines.
    tsurugaoka-garden-03.jpg
  • Ritsurin is a landscape garden in Takamatsu  built by the local feudal lords during the Edo Period. Considered one of the finest gardens in Japan,  Ritsurin features many ponds, hills and pavilions set in front of wooded Mt. Shiun which serves as a background and example of borrowed scenery and Japanese gardening design.
    ritsurin-garden-21.jpg
  • Engetsukyo Bridge at Ritsurin - a landscape garden in Takamatsu  built by the local feudal lords during the Edo Period. Considered one of the finest gardens in Japan,  Ritsurin features many ponds, hills and pavilions set in front of wooded Mt. Shiun which serves as a background and example of borrowed scenery and Japanese gardening design.
    ritsurin-garden-12.jpg
  • Ritsurin is a landscape garden in Takamatsu  built by the local feudal lords during the Edo Period. Considered one of the finest gardens in Japan,  Ritsurin features many ponds, hills and pavilions set in front of wooded Mt. Shiun which serves as a background and example of borrowed scenery and Japanese gardening design.
    ritsurin-garden-06.jpg
  • The Adachi Museum of Art was based on the private collection of Zenko Adachi.  Adachi collected Japanese paintings, ceramics and scrolls.  Adachi himself was an aficionado of Japanese gardens and collected each pine tree and each stone for the garden himself from around Japan.   In this way he created a beautiful garden filled with his own vision and passion.  Adachi believed that Japanese gardens were "as beautiful as pictures” and even framed one of the gardens in one of the museums rooms as if it is a painting itself. Adachi Museum Garden has been selected as the best garden in Japan year after year since 2003, by the Journal of Japanese Gardens Shisai Project.
    adachi-garden-01.jpg
  • Japanese Tea House at the Japanese Tea Garden at Golden Gate park was originally part of the Pan Pacific Exposition.  One of the craftsmen of the Japanese village, Makoto Hagiwara, helped design the Japanese village, and later he became responsible for the majority of the Japanese Tea Garden.  Hagiwara and his family became residents of one of the buildings in the garden, living within Golden Gate Park at the time.
    golden-gate-tea-9.jpg
  • The pond at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine is the one of the most famous spots in Kamakura for sakura viewing. The Five Peony Garden at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine - The garden was created in 1980 to commemorate the 800th anniversary of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine.  The peony garden features, in addition to 5 species of peony, large stones amongst which peonies are planted. These stones were a gift to the shrine from the Chinese government. Traditionally, peonies were always planted in China with special stones that come from the Taihu Lake in Jiangsu Province, China.  This garden was laid out by Chinese workmen along traditional lines.
    tsurugaoka-garden-06.jpg
  • The Adachi Museum of Art was based on the private collection of Zenko Adachi.  Adachi collected Japanese paintings, ceramics and scrolls.  Adachi himself was an aficionado of Japanese gardens and collected each pine tree and each stone for the garden himself from around Japan.   In this way he created a beautiful garden filled with his own vision and passion.  Adachi believed that Japanese gardens were "as beautiful as pictures” and even framed one of the gardens in one of the museums rooms as if it is a painting itself. Adachi Museum Garden has been selected as the best garden in Japan year after year since 2003, by the Journal of Japanese Gardens Shisai Project.
    adachi-garden-08.jpg
  • The Adachi Museum of Art was based on the private collection of Zenko Adachi.  Adachi collected Japanese paintings, ceramics and scrolls.  Adachi himself was an aficionado of Japanese gardens and collected each pine tree and each stone for the garden himself from around Japan.   In this way he created a beautiful garden filled with his own vision and passion.  Adachi believed that Japanese gardens were "as beautiful as pictures” and even framed one of the gardens in one of the museums rooms as if it is a painting itself. Adachi Museum Garden has been selected as the best garden in Japan year after year since 2003, by the Journal of Japanese Gardens Shisai Project.
    adachi-garden-04.jpg
  • The pond at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine is the one of the most famous spots in Kamakura for sakura viewing. The Five Peony Garden at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine - The garden was created in 1980 to commemorate the 800th anniversary of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine.  The peony garden features, in addition to 5 species of peony, large stones amongst which peonies are planted. These stones were a gift to the shrine from the Chinese government. Traditionally, peonies were always planted in China with special stones that come from the Taihu Lake in Jiangsu Province, China.  This garden was laid out by Chinese workmen along traditional lines.
    AMBER-2022-C-47.jpg
  • 23. Daigo-ji 醍醐寺 Within its grounds, Daigo-ji houses eighteen of Japan’s National Treasures. Among them are buildings belonging to Sanbo-in famous for the quality of its Japanese garden.  The garden was laid out with a large pond, paths and bridges and said to contain over 700 stones.  Sanbo-in was designed for viewing from a specific perspective within the temple’s buildings. Laid out in the Momoyama period, the garden’s islands depict ‘fortuitous crane’, the ‘tortoise’ and the ‘"isle of eternal youth’ - poetic terms that show stones and ponds can be poised in a prescribed, esoteric relationship.
    23.KYOTO-DAIGOJI-02.jpg
  • The pond at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine is the one of the most famous spots in Kamakura for sakura viewing. The Five Peony Garden at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine - The garden was created in 1980 to commemorate the 800th anniversary of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine.  The peony garden features, in addition to 5 species of peony, large stones amongst which peonies are planted. These stones were a gift to the shrine from the Chinese government. Traditionally, peonies were always planted in China with special stones that come from the Taihu Lake in Jiangsu Province, China.  This garden was laid out by Chinese workmen along traditional lines.
    tsurugaoka-garden-02.jpg
  • The pond at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine is the one of the most famous spots in Kamakura for sakura viewing. The Five Peony Garden at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine - The garden was created in 1980 to commemorate the 800th anniversary of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine.  The peony garden features, in addition to 5 species of peony, large stones amongst which peonies are planted. These stones were a gift to the shrine from the Chinese government. Traditionally, peonies were always planted in China with special stones that come from the Taihu Lake in Jiangsu Province, China.  This garden was laid out by Chinese workmen along traditional lines.
    AMBER-2022-179.jpg
  • Ritsurin Trail within this magnificent landscape garden in Takamatsu.  It is  thought to be one of the finest gardens in Japan.  The garden boasts many features such as trails, teahouses, ponds, hills and pavilions set by Mt. Shiun providing a kind of borrowed scenery.
    ritsurin-garden-09.jpg
  • The pond at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine is the one of the most famous spots in Kamakura for sakura viewing. The Five Peony Garden at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine - The garden was created in 1980 to commemorate the 800th anniversary of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine.  The peony garden features, in addition to 5 species of peony, large stones amongst which peonies are planted. These stones were a gift to the shrine from the Chinese government. Traditionally, peonies were always planted in China with special stones that come from the Taihu Lake in Jiangsu Province, China.  This garden was laid out by Chinese workmen along traditional lines.
    tsurugaoka-garden-10.jpg
  • The Adachi Museum of Art was based on the private collection of Zenko Adachi.  Adachi collected Japanese paintings, ceramics and scrolls.  Adachi himself was an aficionado of Japanese gardens and collected each pine tree and each stone for the garden himself from around Japan.   In this way he created a beautiful garden filled with his own vision and passion.  Adachi believed that Japanese gardens were "as beautiful as pictures” and even framed one of the gardens in one of the museums rooms as if it is a painting itself. Adachi Museum Garden has been selected as the best garden in Japan year after year since 2003, by the Journal of Japanese Gardens Shisai Project.
    adachi-garden-15.jpg
  • The Adachi Museum of Art was based on the private collection of Zenko Adachi.  Adachi collected Japanese paintings, ceramics and scrolls.  Adachi himself was an aficionado of Japanese gardens and collected each pine tree and each stone for the garden himself from around Japan.   In this way he created a beautiful garden filled with his own vision and passion.  Adachi believed that Japanese gardens were "as beautiful as pictures” and even framed one of the gardens in one of the museums rooms as if it is a painting itself. Adachi Museum Garden has been selected as the best garden in Japan year after year since 2003, by the Journal of Japanese Gardens Shisai Project.
    adachi-garden-12.jpg
  • The Adachi Museum of Art was based on the private collection of Zenko Adachi.  Adachi collected Japanese paintings, ceramics and scrolls.  Adachi himself was an aficionado of Japanese gardens and collected each pine tree and each stone for the garden himself from around Japan.   In this way he created a beautiful garden filled with his own vision and passion.  Adachi believed that Japanese gardens were "as beautiful as pictures” and even framed one of the gardens in one of the museums rooms as if it is a painting itself. Adachi Museum Garden has been selected as the best garden in Japan year after year since 2003, by the Journal of Japanese Gardens Shisai Project.
    adachi-garden-11.jpg
  • Ritsurin is a landscape garden in Takamatsu  built by the local feudal lords during the Edo Period. Considered one of the finest gardens in Japan,  Ritsurin features many ponds, hills and pavilions set in front of wooded Mt. Shiun which serves as a background and example of borrowed scenery and Japanese gardening design.
    ritsurin-garden-13.jpg
  • Ritsurin is a landscape garden in Takamatsu  built by the local feudal lords during the Edo Period. Considered one of the finest gardens in Japan,  Ritsurin features many ponds, hills and pavilions set in front of wooded Mt. Shiun which serves as a background and example of borrowed scenery and Japanese gardening design.
    ritsurin-garden-18.jpg
  • The pond at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine is the one of the most famous spots in Kamakura for sakura viewing. The Five Peony Garden at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine - The garden was created in 1980 to commemorate the 800th anniversary of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine.  The peony garden features, in addition to 5 species of peony, large stones amongst which peonies are planted. These stones were a gift to the shrine from the Chinese government. Traditionally, peonies were always planted in China with special stones that come from the Taihu Lake in Jiangsu Province, China.  This garden was laid out by Chinese workmen along traditional lines.
    tsurugaoka-garden-11.jpg
  • The pond at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine is the one of the most famous spots in Kamakura for sakura viewing. The Five Peony Garden at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine - The garden was created in 1980 to commemorate the 800th anniversary of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine.  The peony garden features, in addition to 5 species of peony, large stones amongst which peonies are planted. These stones were a gift to the shrine from the Chinese government. Traditionally, peonies were always planted in China with special stones that come from the Taihu Lake in Jiangsu Province, China.  This garden was laid out by Chinese workmen along traditional lines.
    tsurugaoka-garden-09.jpg
  • The Adachi Museum of Art is made up of the private collection of Zenko Adach who collected Japanese paintings, ceramics and scrolls.  He was an aficionado of Japanese gardens and collected each pine tree and  stone for the garden himself from all around Japan.  In this way he created a beautiful garden filled with his own vision. Adachi believed that Japanese gardens were "as beautiful as pictures” and even framed one of the gardens in one of the museums rooms as if it is a painting itself. Adachi Museum Garden has been selected as the best garden in Japan year after year since 2003, by the Journal of Japanese Gardens Shoisai Project.
    adachi-garden-06.jpg
  • 78.5 Engakuji 円覚寺 is the main temple of the Engakuji sect of the Rinzai Buddhist sect. Engakuji is one of the leading Zen temples in eastern Japan and ranks second among Kamakura's five great Zen temples. Its unique garden was restored in 1969 according to an old drawing. Zen Buddhism regarded gardens as microcosms of the natural landscape and this is a fine example.
    78.5.TENTATIVE-KAMAKURA-ENGAKUJI-02.jpg
  • The pond at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine is the one of the most famous spots in Kamakura for sakura viewing. The Five Peony Garden at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine - The garden was created in 1980 to commemorate the 800th anniversary of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine.  The peony garden features, in addition to 5 species of peony, large stones amongst which peonies are planted. These stones were a gift to the shrine from the Chinese government. Traditionally, peonies were always planted in China with special stones that come from the Taihu Lake in Jiangsu Province, China.  This garden was laid out by Chinese workmen along traditional lines.
    tsurugaoka-garden-01.jpg
  • The pond at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine is the one of the most famous spots in Kamakura for sakura viewing. The Five Peony Garden at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine - The garden was created in 1980 to commemorate the 800th anniversary of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine.  The peony garden features, in addition to 5 species of peony, large stones amongst which peonies are planted. These stones were a gift to the shrine from the Chinese government. Traditionally, peonies were always planted in China with special stones that come from the Taihu Lake in Jiangsu Province, China.  This garden was laid out by Chinese workmen along traditional lines.
    AMBER-2022-C-112.jpg
  • The Adachi Museum of Art was based on the private collection of Zenko Adachi.  Adachi collected Japanese paintings, ceramics and scrolls.  Adachi himself was an aficionado of Japanese gardens and collected each pine tree and each stone for the garden himself from around Japan.   In this way he created a beautiful garden filled with his own vision and passion.  Adachi believed that Japanese gardens were "as beautiful as pictures” and even framed one of the gardens in one of the museums rooms as if it is a painting itself. Adachi Museum Garden has been selected as the best garden in Japan year after year since 2003, by the Journal of Japanese Gardens Shisai Project.
    adachi-garden-13.jpg
  • The Adachi Museum of Art was based on the private collection of Zenko Adachi.  Adachi collected Japanese paintings, ceramics and scrolls.  Adachi himself was an aficionado of Japanese gardens and collected each pine tree and each stone for the garden himself from around Japan.   In this way he created a beautiful garden filled with his own vision and passion.  Adachi believed that Japanese gardens were "as beautiful as pictures” and even framed one of the gardens in one of the museums rooms as if it is a painting itself. Adachi Museum Garden has been selected as the best garden in Japan year after year since 2003, by the Journal of Japanese Gardens Shisai Project.
    adachi-garden-09.jpg
  • The Adachi Museum of Art was based on the private collection of Zenko Adachi.  Adachi collected Japanese paintings, ceramics and scrolls.  Adachi himself was an aficionado of Japanese gardens and collected each pine tree and each stone for the garden himself from around Japan.   In this way he created a beautiful garden filled with his own vision and passion.  Adachi believed that Japanese gardens were "as beautiful as pictures” and even framed one of the gardens in one of the museums rooms as if it is a painting itself. Adachi Museum Garden has been selected as the best garden in Japan year after year since 2003, by the Journal of Japanese Gardens Shisai Project.
    adachi-garden-10.jpg
  • The Adachi Museum of Art was based on the private collection of Zenko Adachi.  Adachi collected Japanese paintings, ceramics and scrolls.  Adachi himself was an aficionado of Japanese gardens and collected each pine tree and each stone for the garden himself from around Japan.   In this way he created a beautiful garden filled with his own vision and passion.  Adachi believed that Japanese gardens were "as beautiful as pictures” and even framed one of the gardens in one of the museums rooms as if it is a painting itself. Adachi Museum Garden has been selected as the best garden in Japan year after year since 2003, by the Journal of Japanese Gardens Shisai Project.
    adachi-garden-07.jpg
  • The Adachi Museum of Art was based on the private collection of Zenko Adachi.  Adachi collected Japanese paintings, ceramics and scrolls.  Adachi himself was an aficionado of Japanese gardens and collected each pine tree and each stone for the garden himself from around Japan.   In this way he created a beautiful garden filled with his own vision and passion.  Adachi believed that Japanese gardens were "as beautiful as pictures” and even framed one of the gardens in one of the museums rooms as if it is a painting itself. Adachi Museum Garden has been selected as the best garden in Japan year after year since 2003, by the Journal of Japanese Gardens Shisai Project.
    adachi-garden-05.jpg
  • Ritsurin is a landscape garden in Takamatsu  built by the local feudal lords during the Edo Period. Considered one of the finest gardens in Japan,  Ritsurin features many ponds, hills and pavilions set in front of wooded Mt. Shiun which serves as a background and example of borrowed scenery and Japanese gardening design.
    ritsurin-garden-01.jpg
  • Ritsurin Pond Garden - a landscape garden in Takamatsu was built by  feudal lords during the Edo Period.  Ritsurin is considered to be one of the finest gardens in Japan, and features many pavilions, ponds, bridges and hills set beside wooded Mt. Shiun which serves as a background and serves as an example of borrowed scenery and Japanese gardening design.
    ritsurin-garden-17.jpg
  • The pond at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine is the one of the most famous spots in Kamakura for sakura viewing. The Five Peony Garden at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine - The garden was created in 1980 to commemorate the 800th anniversary of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine.  The peony garden features, in addition to 5 species of peony, large stones amongst which peonies are planted. These stones were a gift to the shrine from the Chinese government. Traditionally, peonies were always planted in China with special stones that come from the Taihu Lake in Jiangsu Province, China.  This garden was laid out by Chinese workmen along traditional lines.
    tsurugaoka-garden-05.jpg
  • The pond at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine is the one of the most famous spots in Kamakura for sakura viewing. The Five Peony Garden at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine - The garden was created in 1980 to commemorate the 800th anniversary of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine.  The peony garden features, in addition to 5 species of peony, large stones amongst which peonies are planted. These stones were a gift to the shrine from the Chinese government. Traditionally, peonies were always planted in China with special stones that come from the Taihu Lake in Jiangsu Province, China.  This garden was laid out by Chinese workmen along traditional lines.
    tsurugaoka-garden-04.jpg
  • The Adachi Museum of Art was based on the private collection of Zenko Adachi.  Adachi collected Japanese paintings, ceramics and scrolls.  Adachi himself was an aficionado of Japanese gardens and collected each pine tree and each stone for the garden himself from around Japan.   In this way he created a beautiful garden filled with his own vision and passion.  Adachi believed that Japanese gardens were "as beautiful as pictures” and even framed one of the gardens in one of the museums rooms as if it is a painting itself. Adachi Museum Garden has been selected as the best garden in Japan year after year since 2003, by the Journal of Japanese Gardens Shisai Project.
    adachi-garden-02.jpg
  • The Sanbancho Chamber is a national conference hall built where the estate of Yamagata Ari once stood.  It is now in the grounds of the Ministry of Agriculture Annex, and is only open during auturmn for fall colors and April for its cherry blossoms. To commemorate Emperor Meiji's visit to the garden, there is a stone monument carved by Yamagata himself.  It was designed by Showa architect Hiroshi Oe who also helped with the construction of the National Noh theater and Ise Shrine.
    sanbancho-garden-3.jpg
  • Ichijo Ekan was a noble during the Edo Period, the son of Enperoro Goyozei but was adopted by the Ichijo clan.  He served as Advisor and Regent to the Emperor, brother Enperor Gomizuno.  In later years he became a Buddhist monk and took the name Chitoku Ekan.  He was an affcionado of the arts, especially tea ceremony, flower arrangement, architecture and calligraphy.  Naturally, these interests led him to construct a retreat which was originally built in Kyoto and later brought to Kamakura.. Ichijo Ekan Sanso is an exquisite example of Japanese court architecture often compared to Katsura Rikyu.  The use of natural materials in the villa and garden highlights the nature loving tastes of the time.
    ichijo-ekan-sanso-13.jpg
  • Daijo-in garden was designed by Zenami in the mid Muromachi Period and fell into ruin with the demise of the temple of the same name. In 1958 the site was designated as a National Scenic Place then the Japan National Trust restored the garden to its original brilliance.  The former Daijo-in temple prospered as a temple whose chief priest was a member of the imperial family but now only the garden remains.
    daijo-in-11.jpg
  • Kokoen Garden Stepping Stones - Kokoen is a relatively modern Japanese garden, opened in 1992 on the former site of of the feudal lord's west residence Nishi-Oyashiki at Himeji Castle. The gardens were designed by a team of Japan's top landscape architects and garden designers and consists of nine separate, walled gardens designed in various styles of the Edo Period.  Among the gardens are the garden of the lord's residence which features a pond with a waterfall, a tea garden & tea ceremony house, a pine tree garden, a bamboo garden and a flower garden.  Overall the gardens were designed to be attractive in every season.
    koko-en-35.jpg
  • Gyokudo Kawai was considered  a great master of Japanese painting who lived in Mitake so as a memorial to his accomplishments Gyokudo Museum was created by Ken Nakajima - the landscape architect. The garden has no specific observation point, thought it can be viewed from many angles without changing its general look.  A central design concept that has been used to describe this garden is nesting technique, which has long been utilized in Japanese art.  Natural stones found in adjacent Tama River were used for the garden's stones as well as a part of natural woods at the background crossed over the wall turned to be garden trees that have set the border between artificial and natural. This can be considered in contrast to borrowed scenery often employed in Japanese gardens. In other words, instead of designating as background, it directly employs the natural elements in the garden itself.
    gyokudo-1.jpg
  • Rikugien Garden Sakura - the name of this garden means the six traditional elements essential to great poetry. A wonderful, romantic sentiment in itself for a garden stroll but especially apt because the concept has been followed through to the design and layout of this garden which depicts 88 scenes from a classic Japanese poem. It does so by use of the pond, stone islands, teahouses and bridges
    rikugien-sakura-2.jpg
  • Howa-en is also called Mito Mitsuke is relatively hidden and unsung garden in Mito, Ibaraki. It is most famous for its hydrangeas of which there are 10 <br />
different species, in bloom during July. In addition, there are wisteria near the pond growing in their trellises. The pond garden has a small pagoda on its own tiny island framed by Japanese pines which is lit up in the evenings. Amebas Pond is the centerpiece of the garden, with a strolling path around its cicircumference, which passes by a small waterfall, plum and sakura cherry trees. The grounds of Howaen or Howa-en are adjacent to Keiseiruji Temple (original name was Kokadoin or Kofuin) and was a favorite of Tokugawa Mitsukuni who named it Hodenkoen. Locally the temple and garden complex is called
    howa-en-10.jpg
  • Rinnoji Zen Garden in Sendai - beyond the main hall of the temple is a Japanese pond garden and pagoda. Visitors to Rinnoji's inner gardens can walk along the various paths, admire the koi pond, the three storied pagoda.  All of the buildings have been recently restored to their original condition.  The garden was designed by Musoto Osho.  Rinnoji is the family temple of the Date clan and is noted for its irises in the month of June.
    rinnaji-sendai-02.jpg
  • Water is considered purifying in Japan, hence the emphasis on cleanliness in everyday life. Water fountains such as these, known as tsukubai, are also beneficial to hear the trickling of falling water to soothe the nerves as well. A tsukubai is a small basin provided at Japanese Buddhist temples for visitors to purify themselves by the ritual washing of hands and rinsing of the mouth. This type of ritual cleansing is also the custom for guests attending a tea ceremony.<br />
Tsukubai are usually of stone, and are often provided with a small scoop, laid across the top, ready for use.
    tsukabai-51.jpg
  • Maple Leaf Shoji at Funda-in - founded in 1321 as a family temple for the Ichijo clan, but always had strong ties with neighboring Tofuku-ji. Funda-in has many interesting details in its interior: dried leaves embedded in the paper shoji screens from different plant leaves. Funda-in also has a very elaborate bamboo tsukubai water basin adorned with ikebana flower arrangements. The temple has three gardens: the South Garden is in front of the main hall and consists of raked gravel with a moss garden at the far end. On the moss lie two groups of stones: the one on the left represents a tortoise, the one on the right a crane. The East Garden is made up of lots of moss, stones and rhododendrons. In its far end is a small pavilion with a round window. The painter and Zen monk Sesshu is said to have designed the southern garden so the temple is also commonly called Sesshu-ji. The modern garden master Shigemori Mirei restored the garden and added the eastern garden.
    funda-in-10.jpg
  • Yamanashi Prefecture is famous for its rock crystals and many world-class lapidary experts.  It should not be surprising, therefore, that a rock garden, for which the Japanese are famous, should be born.  The main difference here is that the stones are not austere white pebbles, but multicolored ones from local crystals.  The Jewel Dream Garden is large, and run by a local jewelry company that sponsors it and the adjacent Jewelry Museum.
    shingen-jewel-garden-5.jpg
  • Kannon-in Garden was built in the mid 17th century and artfully incorporates the forest behind the pond as its natural background.  This style is called Shakkei "borrowed scenery”.  Kannon-in Garden was designated as a national scenic spot by the Japanese government.
    kannon-in-5.jpg
  • Taishakuten Suikei-en Garden is to be viewed from a covered bridge that encircles the garden.  The garden itself is composed of a long hedge of azaleas, a pond with pines branches shaped to resemble clouds.  Walking along the covered walkway the view across the pond toward the guest house and teahouse provides the best view of the garden.
    taishakuten-suikei-en-02.jpg
  • Gyokudo Kawai was considered  a great master of Japanese painting who lived in Mitake so as a memorial to his accomplishments Gyokudo Museum was created by Ken Nakajima - the landscape architect. The garden has no specific observation point, thought it can be viewed from many angles without changing its general look.  A central design concept that has been used to describe this garden is nesting technique, which has long been utilized in Japanese art.  Natural stones found in adjacent Tama River were used for the garden's stones as well as a part of natural woods at the background crossed over the wall turned to be garden trees that have set the border between artificial and natural. This can be considered in contrast to borrowed scenery often employed in Japanese gardens. In other words, instead of designating as background, it directly employs the natural elements in the garden itself.
    gyukodo-2.jpg
  • Stepping stones are called tobi-ishi in Japanese, literally skipping stones or flying stones. Walking on a stepping stone pathway the visitor has to make tiny leaps to get from one stone to another. Stepping stone paths force visitor to go in line, one after the other. This is one reason why tea gardens often have stepping stones.  While walking down the path to the tea house, the guests have time to properly arrive in the garden, leave their everyday lives behind and mentally and spiritually prepare for the eminent tea ceremony.
    kenninji-stepping-stones-1.jpg
  • Chion-in Hojo Garden is in the chisen kansyo style pond garden and designed in the early Edo period by Gyokuen and Ryoami, who were connected to garden master Kobori Enshu.  Kyoto prefecture has designated the garden as “Famous Scenic Spot”
    chion-in-1.jpg
  • Tofukuji Temple Eastern Garden - Hokutoshichisei - Seven cylindrical stones are arranged in a field to represent main stars of the Great Bear of the Heavens or the Big Dipper. These stones were originally foundation stones used in other places in the temple.  Renowned landscape architect and garden designer Shigemori Mirei designed this garden to show the Great Bear of Heaven that is the Big Dipper.   The pillars were repurposed from other parts of the building.
    tofukuji-east-1.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 Mirei Shigemori Residence is a traditional townhouse dating from the middle Edo period with an adjoining garden and tea ceremony pavilions. Both garden and pavilions were designed by Mirei Shigemori, seminal 20th century designer of Japanese gardens. The main garden consists of four rock configurations symbolizing the Elysian islands - Hojo, Eiju, Horai and Koryo placed on the sand garden. Horai island consists of a crane style rock and Hojo, a tortoise style rock composite. The stones known as blue rock are from Shikoku island. The garden is overlooked by a veranda with shoji screens, tatami mats and a hanging paper light made specially by Isamu Noguchi for this venue.
    mirei-garden-museum-3.jpg
  • The Katsura Imperial Villa or Katsura Rikyu as it is known in Japanese is a villa in the western suburbs of Kyoto. It is one of Japan's most important large-scale cultural treasures. Its gardens are a masterpiece of Japanese gardening, and the buildings perfect examples of Japanese architecture at its best. The Katsura Imperial Villa is a good example of the essence of Japanese traditional design. The Villa combines principles usually used in early Shinto shrines and merges it with the esthetics and philosophy of Zen Buddhism. It provides an invaluable window into the villas of princes of the Edo period. The palace formerly belonged to the prince of the Hachij-no-miya family. The Imperial Household Agency now maintains and administers.
    katsura-3.jpg
  • Tenryu-ji more formally known as Tenryu Shiseizen-ji is the head temple of the Tenryu branch of Rinzai Zen Buddhism, located in Arashiyama, Kyoto.  The temple was founded by Ashikaga Takauji in 1339, primarily to venerate Gautama Buddha, and its first chief priest was Muso Soseki the famous Zen garden designer.  As a temple related to both the Ashikaga family and Emperor Go-Daigo, the temple is held in high esteem, and is ranked number one among Kyoto's so-called "Five Mountains." In 1994, it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
    tenryuji-3.jpg
  • Honbu Garden Myoshinji - Although it is a main temple of the Myoshin-ji group of the Rinzai sect, which contains 47 sub-temples in a vast area, its Honbo garden is rather simple with impressive paired sand cones used for public events and ceremonies.  The garden is said to have been deisgned by Muso Soseki.
    Honbo-Garden-2.jpg
  • Shuheki-en Garden at Sanzen-in.  Sanzen-in is a Tendai Buddhism monzeki; temple. Its gardens and a small hall called Ojogokuraku-in as well as the three Buddhist images in the hall are the main attractions. Monzeki is a temple of which the head priests has always been a member of the imperial family or of the nobility.
    sanzen-in-1.jpg
  • Kiyosumi Teien Garden was the site of the residence of the Edo Period business magnate, Kinokuniya Bunzaemon. Later it became the residence of the Edo of the Lord of Sekiyado castle, Shimofusa-no-kuni the period when the basic form of the garden came into existence.  In 1878,  Iwasaki Yataro, chose this property to use a garden for the entertainment of important guests. After the design and construction phases ended, the garden opened in 1880 under the name of "Fukagawa Shimbokuen." In later years, the waters of the Sumida River were brought into the grounds to make the pond. Hills and waterless waterfalls were constructed and famous rocks from all over Japan were brought in to embellish the garden. The garden was completed in the Meiji Period and developed into a famous strolling garden centered around a large pond.
    kiyosumi-4.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. Water is considered purifying in Japan, hence the emphasis on cleanliness in everyday life.  Water fountains such as these, known as tsukubai, are also beneficial to hear the trickling of falling water to soothe the nerves as well.  A tsukubai is a small basin provided at Japanese Buddhist temples for visitors to purify themselves by the ritual washing of hands and rinsing of the mouth. Tsukubai are usually of stone, and are often provided with a small scoop, laid across the top, ready for use.
    tsukubai-30.jpg
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