Korin-in in Higashiyama, Kyoto, is the oldest existing sub-temple of Kodai-ji Buddhist Temple, known as the mausoleum of Toyotomi Hideyoshi and his wife Kitano Mandokoro. This small Zen temple was built in 1608, but was destroyed by fire in the Edo period. It was reconstructed in the 19th century as the retreat for the then chief priest of Kodai-ji. This is characterized by its graceful Zen-garden with moss. The perfect moss-garden, having been elaborately maintained by the three generations of successive head priests, is well designed with many stepping-stones to a tea-ceremony house, tall maple trees covering the ground with moss and a surrounding scenery of nearby Higashiyama. The garden has long been private though, it’s irregularly open to the public in recent years. The first photo shows a part of the garden adjacent to the tea-ceremony house of the temple. Prominent ability of a landscape gardener making the most of a narrow space and elaborate daily maintenance by the present head priest can be imagined from the photo.
Licensed tour guide, travel consultant,
Masahisa Takaki.
全国通訳案内士
高木聖久。
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