Ryoan Ji By Emily Park

Ryoan Ji Kyoto, Japan Muromachi Period, Japan C. 1480 CE; current design most likely dates to the 18th century Rock Garden Ryoan Ji, or the peaceful dragon temple, is a zen temple located in Kyoto, Japan., owned by the Myoshinji school. Its is associated with the Rinzai branch of Zen Buddhism. Followers of zen buddhism pursued “enlightenment” through self introspection, which is the examination of one's own conscious thoughts and feelings, and personal experience of daily life. The essential element of Zen buddhism is meditation, which is the translation of zen. It originated in India, then formalized in China, finally reaching Japan. Rinzai zen was introduced in Japan by the Chinese priest Enasi and emphasized the use of koans, which are puzzles and questions that help a person overcome the normal boundaries of logic. The temple was originally owned by the Fujiwara family as its estate during the Heian period. In 1450, Hosokawa Katsumoto, a military leader, acquired the land and discovered the zen temple. During the Onin war, however, the temple was destroyed, but later rebuilt by Katsumoto’s son, Matsumoto. The main attraction is the dry landscape or rock garden. The garden is located on the south side of the hojo, or the main building that is a meditation hall is meant for the abbot, which is the head of the monastery, for personal study and living area. Surrounding the hojo, was the rock garden, moss garden, rock and moss garden, and a garden with a tea house.

Dry Landscape Garden (karesansui) Dry Landscape Garden (karesansui). This garden, located in Ryoan Ji, is one the most famous examples of a rock garden. The artist of this garden is unknown. Some speculate that the original designer was Hosokawa Katsumoto or that it was his son. Other speculations include that the famous landscape painter and monk, Soami, built it. Rock gardens were first developed during the Muromachi period (1392-1573). This garden is thirty by seventy eight feet. Made up of pebbles and rocks rather than the usual vegetation and flowers associated with gardens. The garden was inspired by aspects from Japan and China, since Zen Buddhism was derived from Chan Buddhism in China. Landscape paintings from China were sparse and monochromatic. It represented a spontaneous approach to enlightenment. These gardens were specifically located on temple grounds to encourage contemplation from the stillness and simplicity. The white gravel represents flowing elements such as rivers while the big rocks represent islands or bridges. As you can see the rocks are grouped in different areas of the garden that, at first, glance may seem randomly placed.15 rocks of varying sizes are arranged in a certain way so that you can only see fourteen of the fifteen rocks at once from any angle. In Buddhism, the number 15 denotes completeness. You have to have a total view of the garden to make it whole, however through the conditions of the world that is impossible, and instead the garden represents incompleteness. The pebbles are also raked in a certain pattern, surrounding the rocks. The back walls that surround the garden are made of clay. There is no set meaning to the garden and it is open for interpretation. The theories include that it represents islands on an ocean, or that is represents Japanese aesthetic concepts by the simple and minimalistic design, or that it symbolizes the overall concept of Zen Buddhism.

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