- Address: 1 Kinkakujicho, Kita Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 603-8361, Japan
- Founder: Ashikaga Yoshimitsu
- Founding date: 1397
- Architectural style: Architecture of Japan
- Phone: +81 75-461-0013
- Working hours: daily 09: 00-17: 00
- Cost of visiting: $ 3,5
For many centuries, the cultural center of Japan is the city of Kyoto . It is famous for its lush gardens, ancient castles and Buddhist temples. Even during the Second World War, the sights of this city were saved from bombardment. Among the rescued objects was the Golden Pavilion - one of the most famous temples in Japan.
History of the Golden Pavilion
Japan - one of those countries, which at high rates of development manages to keep its culture and traditions behind a veil of mystery. Not surprisingly, most tourists still do not know in which country the Golden Pavilion is located. Meanwhile, its history dates back 620 years. It was then that the third Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu decided to abdicate and build a palace that would become the embodiment of Buddhist paradise on earth.
In 1408, after the death of Ashikaga, the Golden Pavilion of Kinkakuji was converted into a Zen temple, a branch of the Rinzai School. Half a millennium later, in 1950, he was burned by one of the monks who decided to commit suicide. Reconstruction work lasted from 1955 to 1987. After this, the building became part of the Rokuon-ji complex.
Since 1994, the temple is an object of UNESCO's world cultural heritage.
Architectural style and arrangement of the Golden Pavilion
Originally, the temple was built on the site of an abandoned monastery and manor, which Ashikaga Yoshimitsu transformed into a government center - the Palace of China. Even then, the traditional Japanese style was chosen for the Golden Pavilion in Kyoto, so the building was a square three-story structure. Its name was given to the temple because of the gold leaf that covered all its outer walls. To protect the coating used Japanese varnish urusi
.The interior decoration of the Golden Pavilion Kinkakuji looked like this:
- The first floor (the Hall of Purification), executed in the Japanese palace style, was adorned with statues of Buddha Shakyamuni and Ashikaga Yoshimitsu;
- The second floor (the Cave of Mercy) was designed in the style typical of the residential apartments of Japanese samurai;
- the third floor (the Summit of the Void) was decorated in the style of a Zen temple, in which the remains of the Buddha Shakyamuni were kept.
The roof of Kinkakuji's golden pavilion was strewn with bark of trees, and its decoration was a spire with a Chinese phoenix.
The fire that happened in 1950, destroyed the temple to the ground. Thanks to the availability of old photographs and engineering data, the architects of Japan managed to completely restore the Golden Pavilion. Gold-plated sheets and the protective coating of Urusi were replaced by stronger and more reliable ones.
Currently, the arrangement of the Kinkakuji Golden Pavilion is as follows:
- The first floor serves as a reception hall;
- on the second there is a hall of music and poetry;
- the third floor is designed for religious ceremonies.
Now it is used as a siraden, that is, a repository for Buddha relics. Here are preserved the following historical and culturally significant relics:
- a statue of Avalokitesvara (the main shrine of the temple);
- portrait of the third Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu;
- frescoes that once adorned Daisy's office.
Monastery garden of the Golden Pavilion
Since the end of the XIV century, this religious object was surrounded by a garden and lakes. The main lake of the Golden Pavilion in Japan is Kyokoti. It is also called a "mirror lake", because it shows a clear reflection of the temple. This deep pond is filled with clear water, in the middle of which are located large and small islands with pine trees. Straight from the water rise boulders of intricate shapes and sizes, which form the archipelago.
The main islands located on the territory of the Golden Kinkakuji Pavilion are the Turtle Island and the Crane Island. These mythological images for a long time personified longevity. If you look at the reflection of the temple, you can see how the stones and islands frame its outlines. This once again emphasizes the rigor and sophistication of the structure.
How to get to the Golden Pavilion?
In order to assess the beauty and scale of this building, you need to go to the central part of Honshu Island. The Golden Pavilion is located in the south of the city of Kyoto in the Kita area. Next to it lie the streets of Himuro-michi and Kagamiishi Dori. From the central station to the temple, you can take the city bus number 101 or 205. The journey lasts 40 minutes. In addition, you can take the metro. For this, you need to go along the Karasuma line and get off at the Kitaoji stop.