Cole’s Recap, Day 3 Continued: We head to Ginkaku-ji (The Silver Pavilion). Taxi stops, BKCV exit. C points out shaved ice stand where C and Leonardo DiCaprio shared some shaved ice just one month apart from one another. More shops. K buys pickles. Buy tickets. Enter temple. Giant hedge hallway. Enter gate. Sand garden. Breathtaking. Stroll through mossy gardens. Enjoy view of Kyoto valley from bamboo grove. Trickling streams of water. Quiet breezes. Tourists filter out. Sun nearing the horizon. Exit garden. BKVC last to leave. Guard bows. C hails taxi and points out philosopher’s path.
Tips:
*Ginkaku-ji is also known as “The Silver Pavilion”
*It is a Zen temple originally constructed as a mountain villa for shoguns
*Founded by Ashikaga Yoshimasa and complete in 1490
*The original plan was to cover the pavilion in silver foil but the plan was never completed before Yoshimasa died
*Despite its name, Ginkakuji is not and has never been covered in silver
*The name is also in contrast to its counterpart Kinkakuji “The Golden Pavilion” also in Kyoto, Japan
*The current structure is believed to be the same as when Yoshimasa last saw it before he died
*The incomplete and unfinished appearance is a prime example of the traditional Japanese philosophy “wabi-sabi” which finds beauty in imperfection
Related Blog Posts:
Shop Photography Prints:
