A beautiful season in new green leaves
19.05.31
Blog
New green leaves are all around in Kyoto.
It is a great time to go out and enjoy beautiful sceneries.
In 1339 by a -ji Temple, a UNESCO world heritage site, is located in the Arashiyama area in the western Kyoto.
The temple was built by a Shogun at that time to pray for the emperor’s soul after he passed away.
A famous Zen Buddhist monk helped the Shogun built the temple and the monk was given the title “National Teacher” by the Emperor.
He was the first person who was given the title at that time.
It made him more famous and became influential on politics.
He is also well known as a landscape architect and he built a lot of beautiful gardens. Saiho-ji Temple, known as a moss temple is one of his famous works.
What you must see at this temple is the beautiful Zen garden designed and built by the monk which is one of the most scenic gardens in Japan.
The temple buildings such as the main hall, drawing hall and temple kitchen were repeatedly lost by fires and wars, however this garden has survived for centuries in its original form.
The temple was built more over 700 years ago with Shakkei-style design technique which is a traditional Japanese design technique of borrowed landscape, where nearby or distance views are taken into consideration and incorporated into the garden and become the part of the design.
You can enjoy the beautiful fresh green leaves by walking around or sitting on the bench at the garden.
Here is something interesting about the history that gives you a deeper understanding when you visit this temple.
I mentioned that this temple was built by the Shogun and dedicated to the Emperor. The two important historical characters had used to be allies however the Shogun turned against the emperor and he made the emperor exile out of Kyoto.
The emperor tried to regain his power but he had never come back to Kyoto until he passed away.
The Shogun might have felt guilty as he turned around on the emperor and forced him exile.
You visit and enjoy the temple with a little bit historical view, you may see it differently.
