Ginkaku-ji (Jisho-ji) temple
Jisho-ji, a sub temple of Shokoku-ji, is commonly known as Ginkaku-ji, because of its building that is called Ginkaku, a silver pavilion. The pavilion has never been applied with silver leaves but is called so probably because it has been considered as the counterpart of Kinkaku, the glittering gold pavilion.
The Rinzai-shu sect Zen temple is one of 17 World Cultural Heritage sites in Kyoto and represents Higashiyama-bunka, a culture of Wabi and Sabi. The austere and simple culture is quite contrary with flamboyant Kitayama-bunka, a culture that is represented by Kinkaku.
Ginkaku (the real name is Kan'non-den) and Togu-do buildings are national treasures. These two were modeled after Ruri-den and Sairai-do buildings of Saiho-ji temple respectively. One of the rooms of Togu-do is called Dojin-sai that is considered to be the origin of chashitsu, a tea-ceremony room (or building).
Ginkaku-ji's chisen-kaiyushiki (pond-stroll) garden was modeled after the garden of Saiho-ji. The beautiful garden has been altered several times in its 500 plus years of history and does not retain the original design much, but still is worth to see.
Ginkaku is under repair from November 2007 to March 2010. Click HERE to see photos of Ginkaku under repair.
For Ground Plan of Ginkaku-ji, click HERE
History of Ginkaku-ji
The 8th Muromachi Shogun, Ashikaga Yoshimasa (1436-1490) started construction of a villa, Higashiyama-dono at the foot of Mt. Higashiyama in the year 1482. He moved in Higashiyama-dono next year. Togu-do building was completed in 1486. Ginkaku was completed in 1490 just after Yoshimasa passed away. The villa was changed into a temple, Jisho-in, in accordance with his will. In 1491, The name of the temple was changed to Jisho-ji.
Sometime between 1550 and 1561, all the buildings but Togu-do and Ginkaku were burned down by fires of war. The temple was dilapidated for some time.
From 1615 to 1644, large-scale repair and reconstruction was made by Miyagi Toyomori and his grandson Toyotsugu. Sometime between 1735 and 1799, Ginsadan and Kogetsudai were installed.
In the year 1931, the ruins of Karesansui garden of the temple was excavated. In 2007, a scientific research confirmed that silver leaves have never been applied to Ginkaku. In 2008, the city of Kyoto advised the temple to lacquer the second story of Ginkaku in original black to preserve it, but they declined because they believed weathered walls would fit the culture of Wabi and Sabi.
How to get to Ginkaku-ji
- From Kyoto Station: Take Kyoto City Bus 100 bound for Ginkaku-ji Mae then
walk toward east for 5 minutes, or
Take Kyoto City Bus 5 bound for Iwakura and get off at "Ginkaku-ji Michi" bus stop then walk east for 10 minutes. - From Shijo Kawaramachi: Take Kyoto City Bus 32 bound for Ginkaku-ji Mae then walk toward east for 5 minutes.
Hours and Admission
08:30 to 17:00 (March - November)
09:00 to 16:30 (December - February)
High school students or older: 500yen
Elementary school pupils and junior high school students (1st to 9th graders):
300 yen.
Children under school age: free.
Photos/Pictures
Click on a photo for the full image.
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| An approach to Somon gate. November 18, 2007 |
Ginkaku-ji-gaki, a bamboo fence on the left and hedges are on both sides
of approach from Somon gate to Chumon gate. November 18, 2007. |
Kuri November 18, 2007 |
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| Kogetsudai, a 1.8m high truncated cone made with white sand. November 28, 2000 |
Ginsadan (or Ginshadan) and Ginkaku, the silver pavilion November 18, 2007 |
Ginsadan November 18, 2007 |
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| Ginsadan and Hojo building. November 18, 2007 |
Ginsadan looked through a window. November 18, 2007 |
Colored leaves and observatory. November 18, 2007 |
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| Stone bridge over Kinkyo-chi pond. November 18, 2007 |
Ginkaku, a national treasure, and Kogetsudai. November 18, 2007 |
Ginkaku that was built in 1490. The first floor has a residence style and
called Shinku-den. The second floor is in Zen style and called Cho'on-kaku.
A statue of Kan'non Bosatsu is enshrined in Cho'on-kaku. November 18, 2007 |
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| The second floor has windows typical to Zen Buddhism buildings that are
called Kato-mado, or Flower Head Window. November 18, 2007 |
The doors on the second floor of Ginkaku. November 18, 2007 |
Ginkaku looked over colored leaves. November 18, 2007 |
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| A garden at the back of Rosei-tei building November 18, 2007 |
A garden at the back of Rosei-tei building November 18, 2007 |
Garden with moss and maple trees. November 18, 2007 |
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| A moss garden. August 24, 2003 |
Sengetsu-sen, a small waterfalls. November 18, 2007 |
Shishiodoshi in the garden at the back of Togu-do building. November 18, 2007 |
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| Stone bridges over Kinkyo-chi pond. November 18, 2007 |
In the middle is Ginkaku-ji-gata chozubachi, or Ginkaku-ji type wash basin. November 18, 2007 |
Togu-do, a national treasure, that was built in 1486. November 18, 2007 |
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| The back side of Togu-do looked from Rosei-tei. November 18, 2007 |
In the middle are stone bridges and an islet looked from east. November 18, 2007 |
Tiny Benzai-ten shrine. November 18, 2007 |
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| Ocha-no-i spring. The spring water was used to make tea for Shogun Yoshimasa. November 18, 2007 |
These stones are remains of Karesansui garden that was arranged by Soami.
These were excavated in the year 1931. November 18, 2007 |
Buildings of Ginkaku-ji looked from observatory. A hill on the top left
is Yoshida-yama. November 18, 2007 |