Sanbō-in

Karamon (National Treasures of Japan)
Daigenkan

Sanbō-in (三宝院, Sanbō-in) is a Buddhist temple in southern Kyoto, Japan, known today primarily for the quality of its garden.[1]

History

Sanbō-in was established in the Azuchi-Momoyama period (1582–1615).[2] It was a sub-temple of Daigo-ji, which is a Heian period temple founded in 902.[3] The temple complex had fallen into disrepair during the Sengoku period.[4]

A majority of the present buildings and the garden of Sanbō-in date from the late 16th century. The garden is designed as a stroll garden with a large pond and several paths and bridges. The garden is said to contain over 700 stones; and one of them, called the Fujito stone, is said to have cost over 5,000 bushels of rice.[3] Sanbō-in is also a noteworthy illustration of a landscape garden which is designed for viewing from a specific perspective within a building. As laid out in the Momoyama period, the garden remains one of the finest uses of the "fortuitous crane," the "tortoise" and the "isle of eternal youth." These poetic terms identify specific ways in which stones and ponds are poised in a prescribed, esoteric relationship.[5]

In 1598, Toyotomi Hideyoshi redesigned an existing garden in order as avenue for an extravagant cherry blossom-viewing party.[1]

See also

Notes

  1. 1 2 Main, Alison. (2002). The Lure of the Japanese Garden, p. 27.
  2. ↑ Ponsonby-Fane, Richard. (1956). Kyoto: The Old Capital of Japan, p. 301.
  3. 1 2 Garden directory: Sanbō-in.
  4. ↑ Dougill, John. (2006). Kyoto: A Cultural History, p. 115.
  5. ↑ Japanese National Tourist Organization: Kyoto gardens.

References

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