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 opposite to flamboyant Kitayama-bunka, a culture which is represented by Kinkaku.
Kan'non-den, commonly known as Ginkaku, 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, which is considered to be the origin of chashitsu, a tea-ceremony room (or building).
Ginkaku-ji's chisen-kaiyushiki (pond-stroll) garden was also 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 visit.
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. Muso Soseki was nominated as the founder of the new temple. 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, Ginshadan and Kogetsudai were installed.
In the year 1931, the ruins of Karesansui garden was excavated. In 2007, a scientific research confirmed that silver leaves have never been applied to Ginkaku. In 2008, the city of Kyoto suggested lacquering the second story of Ginkaku in original black to preserve it, but the temple declined the idea 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
Photos of Ginkaku
Click on a photo for the full image.
 |
 |
 |
| Kan'non-den that is commonly known as Ginkaku, the silver pavilion. The two-story Kan'non hall was built in 1490 and is a national treasure. November 18, 2007 |
Ginshadan (or Ginsadan) and Ginkaku, the silver pavilion November 18, 2007 |
Ginkaku and its reflection on Kinkyo-chi pond February, 2011 |
|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
| Close up view of Ginkaku. The first floor has a residence style and
called Shinku-den. The second floor is in Zen-shu Butusu-den style and is called Cho'on-kaku (Sound-of-the-waves hall).
An image of Kan'non Bosatsu is enshrined in Cho'on-kaku. February, 2011 |
Lookout view of Ginkaku February, 2011 |
Ginkaku looked over colored leaves. November 18, 2007 |
 |
 |
 |
| The second floor has windows typical to Zen Buddhism buildings that are
called Kato-mado, or Flower Head Windows. November 18, 2007 |
The doors on the second floor of Ginkaku. November 18, 2007 |
Phoenix on the top of Ginkaku February, 2011 |
Photos of Kinkyo-chi pond
Click on a photo for the full image.
 |
 |
 |
| North end of Kinkyo-chi, Brocade Mirror pond. The flat stone in the middle is called Zazen-seki February, 2011 |
Hakkaku-to or Hakutsuru-jima (both mean "White Crane island") and stone bridges over Kinkyo-chi pond looked from Togu-do building. November 18, 2007 |
Sanzon-seki (Buddhist trinity stones) attached to Hakkaku-to island. February, 2011 |
|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
| Senshu-kyo bridge to the west side of Hakkaku-to island. February, 2011 |
Senshu-kyo looked from south. February, 2011 |
Senkei-kyo bridge to the east side of Hakkaku-to island. February, 2011 |
 |
 |
 |
| Ouchi-ishi presented by a feudal lord Ouchi Masahiro. February, 2011 |
Arranged stones on the bottom of Kinkyo-chi pond. I do not know what these are for. February, 2011 |
Sengetsu-sen (Moon washing falls), a small waterfall. November 18, 2007 |
 |
 |
 |
| Geisen-kyo (Sen'nin receiving bridge) to Sen'nin-su island. February, 2011 |
Sen'nin-su (immortal person sandbank) island. February, 2011 |
Takkin-kyo (brocade rinsing bridge). The queried and cut stone slab is considered to be a later addition to the garden. February, 2011 |
 |
 |
 |
| A small stone steps to the water. February, 2011 |
Uki-ishi, a floating stone, and Bunkai-kyo bridge. February, 2011 |
Bunkai-kyo (Boundary bridge) and Hokuto-seki, the Big Dipper stone. The origin of the name of the stone is unknown. February, 2011 |
Other Photos
Click on a photo for the full image.
 |
 |
 |
| An approach to Somon gate. November 18, 2007 |
Ginkakuji-gaki, a bamboo fence on the left and hedges are on both sides
of approach from Somon gate to Chumon gate. November 18, 2007. |
Ginkakuji-gaki, a bamboo fence unique to Ginkaku-ji. February, 2011 |
|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
| Kuri, priests' living quarters. November 18, 2007 |
Ginshadan looked through a Kato-mado, or Flower Head Window. November 18, 2007 |
Kogetsudai, a 1.8m high truncated cone made with white sand. November 28, 2000 |
 |
 |
 |
| Ginshadan November 18, 2007 |
Ginshadan and Hojo building. November 18, 2007 |
In the middle is Ginkakuji-gata chozubachi, or Ginkaku-ji type wash basin. November 18, 2007 |
 |
 |
 |
| Togu-do building, a national treasure. February, 2011 |
The back side of Togu-do looked from Rosei-tei. November 18, 2007 |
Shishiodoshi in the garden at the back of Togu-do building. November 18, 2007 |
 |
 |
 |
| A garden at the back of Rosei-tei building November 18, 2007 |
A garden at the back of Rosei-tei building November 18, 2007 |
A garden with moss and maple trees. November 18, 2007 |
 |
 |
 |
| Tiny Benzai-ten shrine. November 18, 2007 |
A moss garden. August 24, 2003 |
A gardener taking care of the moss. February, 2011 |
 |
 |
 |
| 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 |
Colored leaves and a lookout. November 18, 2007 |
 |
 |
 |
| Bamboo fences. February, 2011 |
Ishigaki, stone walls and stone steps. February, 2011 |
Stone pavement. February, 2011 |
 |
 |
 |
| A curved ditch. February, 2011 |
A stepped ditch. February, 2011 |
Hachiman-sha shrine. February, 2011 |