 Temples & Shrines: Ginkakuji
History of Ginkakuji | Ginkakuji Access
Ginkakuji Temple (Silver Pavilion) 銀閣寺
- Wabi sabi elegance.
- Pinnacle of Muromachi art
- Located in northeast Kyoto.
- A World Heritage Site.
- Not covered in silver leaf.
- A must see.
- Also known as Jishoji.
- Rinzai Zen temple.
Restraint, elegance, wabi sabi. Ginkakuji is perhaps the pinnacle of Japanese artistic expression. Best known for its stone gardens (the Sea of Silver Sand built to reflect the moon) and simple buildings, the fifteenth century temple was originally a villa for the artistic Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa, a poor, inept ruler in a time of conflict and instability but a great patron of the arts: Noh theater, the tea ceremony and ikebana (flower arranging).
Located at the end/beginning of the Philosopher's Walk, Ginkakuji is discussed in detail in Donald Keene's book, Yoshimasa and the Silver Pavilion: The Creation of the Soul in Japan.
Ginkakuji was scheduled to be painted silver, but because of the disruptions of the Onin War this part of construction never took place. The first storey was used as a residence, while in the upper floor of the temple in the Buddhist altar room or butsuma is a gilded figure of Kannon (the goddess of Mercy).
History of Ginkakuji Temple
The Togu-do houses a tiny 4-and a half mat tatami room known as the Dojin-sai and designed by Murata Shuko (1423-1503). The simple but classic design served as a model for many future tearooms and is said to be the oldest in Japan. The room contains a sunken hearth and tokonoma alcove. A small corridor leads from here to the Roseitei - reproductions of the rooms used by Yoshimasa for incense-burning ceremonies. The Main Hall or Butsuden (Hall of the Buddha) contains an image of Sakyamuni (the historical Buddha) but is closed to visitors.
The stone gardens are thought to have been designed by master gardener Soami (1455-1525) and include a moss garden and a distinctive dry stone garden containing a large cone called the "Moon Viewing Platform" (kogetsudai) surrounded by an area of raked white sand representing a Chinese lake, called ginshadan. See photograph below.
Today Ginkakuji ranks with Kiyomizu Dera and Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) as one of the most visited sites in Kyoto.
View of the Silver Pavilion - Ginkakuji Temple - amongst autumn leaves
The "Moon Viewing Platform" (kogetsudai) at Ginkakuji Temple, eastern Kyoto
Ginkakuji Access
Keihan Demachiyanagi is the nearest station though a bus or taxi from there will save you a long walk or alternatively bus #5 from Kyoto station or the Raku Bus #102 or #100 also from Kyoto Station. Get off at the Ginkakuji-mae stop.
Ginkaku-ji is a short walk along the Philosopher's Path from Honen-in.
2 Ginkaku-cho
Sakyo-ku
Kyoto.
Tel: 075 771 5725
Admission Fee.
Bicycle along Philosopher's Walk is a good way to get to Ginkakuji, Anrakuji, Honen-in and Reikanji. All these temples can be visited in half a day's sightseeing.
Raked white sand at Ashikaga Yoshimasa's delightful Ginkakuji
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