RYŌAN-JI
If the Golden and Silver Pavilions are among the most visited and known monuments in Japan, the Ryōan-ji (Temple of the Peaceful Dragon) is probably the most admired Zen garden. It is also classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The monastery Ryōan was founded in 1450 by Katsumoto (1430-1473). The temple was burned during the Onin Civil War and rebuilt by Masamoto Hosokawa, son of Katsumoto, from 1488 to 1499. It is assumed that it was between this date and 1507, the date of Masamoto's death, that Sōami (1455-1525) designed the garden in the kare-sansui (dried mountain water) style. This garden is now considered one of the masterpieces of the Japanese Zen period.
The garden. With a surface area of 200m2
, it is a rectangular garden enclosed by a wall on three sides, the last being open to a corridor. The entire surface area of the garden is an ocean of gravel on which fifteen rocks of different sizes are arranged and placed in such a way that, whatever your position in the corridor, you may only see fourteen of them. This ocean of gravel is carefully raked every day by the monk in charge of the temple. Behind the wall, tombs are lined up, including those of Emperor Go Shujaku (1009-1045).The lake Oshidōri. In the center of the temple, there is a large lake in the middle of which a small island can be seen. It is a bucolic scenery that leads to contemplation. A walk around the lake in the lush nature is a real treat.
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