We've arrived at Ginkaku-ji which is one of the prettiest of all of the temples and gardens
in Kyoto.
It's in the tsukiyama style of hillside garden.
A dramatic entry lined by tall hedges leads into another world, a lyrical dreamscape of
ponds surrounded by gardens, dotted with statues and linked together by exquisite bamboo railings
that guide you along the very pleasant and calm foot paths.
Try to arrive when it opens at 9:00am to enjoy its tranquility undisturbed by the busloads
that are soon to come.
The Japanese garden is a miniature and idealized view of nature and the style of garden is
meant for strolling for moving around from one place to another and as you go there will
be scenes revealed and then left behind -- it's hide and reveal, appearing then disappearing.
These gardens are not laid out straight and nor do they have a single focus.
Instead the paths are designed with curves and bands and they'll go up and down.
It's made to look natural but of course everything here is carefully designed.
Ginkaku-ji is a Zen temple that represents the Higashiyama Culture of the Muromachi period
back in the 15th century.
It was originally built as a retirement villa and gardens between 1460 and 1480 by Ashikaga
Yoshimasa who arranged for the property to become this Zen temple and after his death.
The main structure is similar in design to that of Kinkaku-ji, another famous temple
in Kyoto that was built by his grandfather.
The temple is now associated with Rinzai Zen.
Obviously the best way to enjoy these gardens without crowds is come in the off-season as
we are here in early December, which is really the perfect time to be in the gardens of Kyoto.
You have the fall colors still lingering and if you’re here in the middle of the week,
especially in early December, there's hardly anybody else around.
If you're here on a typical busy day there are going to be hundreds, maybe 1000 people
in the garden so that does make it a little difficult to get into that contemplative and
meditative mood that the gardens are designed to foster.
Instead you'll have lots of people around, some of them are shouting at each other others
are waving their selfy sticks around, kids running past you so it does provide a challenge
if you’re here in a busy time.
There are a few steps to climb as you walk along the main path but really it's not a
strenuous walk, just about anybody can do it -- anybody who's in normal condition, no
problem, you will love it.
Railings are typically made with green bamboo to blend in with the scenery providing an
organic and clean appearance while at the same time being functional to help you steady
yourself and keep you from walking into the garden.
And then you can walk up the hill and gain some lovely views.
The main pavilion is known as Ginkaku, the "Silver Pavilion," because originally they
were planning to cover its exterior in silver but that never happened.
Instead the outside has had a unfinished appearance for the last 500 years which illustrates one
of the aspects of Wabi-Sabi quality.
Wabi-Sabi was developed as a Japanese worldview or aesthetic based on imperfection and the
impermanence of life, deeply rooted in the Zen Buddhist philosophy.
It's based on ideas that nothing is perfect or ever finished and nothing lasts forever.
Some of the characteristics of that Wabi-Sabi can be seen in the garden itself: they include
asymmetry and irregularity, simplicity, economy and austerity, modesty, and appreciation of
the natural world.
Understanding and accepting these concepts was viewed as an important steps towards enlightenment
or Satori It's often summarized as wisdom and natural simplicity and flawed beauty.
Of course there are many more dimensions to this profound philosophy and various interpretations
of it such as the Mahayana Buddhist view of the universe, which cautions that genuine
understanding cannot be achieved through words or language -- it's more nonverbal, involving
feelings and sensations.
A variety of different moss cover most of the ground surface here, providing different
shades and colors, and they like to display it with labels to let you know what varieties
are found in the garden.
These boxes display 48 different types.
And notice the carefully tended sand garden.
This is an example of that kare-sansui style that we saw with the pebble garden back at
Tofuku-ji at the Abbotts Hall.
The garden is arranged in two sections: the upper terrace is in the style of a dry garden
with stones and sand and no water; and the lower terrace is design with changing views
as you walk around the pond, very green and luxurious.
The Buddhist temple gardens were designed for contemplation and meditation, not so much
for recreation and fun and pleasure, although modern travelers understandably are really
just walking around and enjoying the beautiful sites, not thinking so much about meditation
and philosophy.
But peaceful contemplation can certainly add more dimensions to your experience here in
the gardens.
Remarkable combination of styles of landscape architecture right here.
This is definitely a place that you must visit, Ginkaku-ji.
This is part of our series on the temples and gardens of Eastern Kyoto, the Higashiyama
district, and also we’ll take you downtown in some of our other videos.
Be sure to look for them on our YouTube channel.