Because the garden is covered in moss, Saiho-ji is also known as a Koke-Dera or Moss Temple.
The garden is famous for its velvety-green 120 different kinds of moss
spread underneath the trees.
This garden is divided into two parts, one the Chisen Kaiyu (circling pond) while the other was to be a karesansui (dry garden) type.
Dating back 1,300 years ago,there was a villa of Shotoku-taishi in Aska era.
Buddhist priest Gyoki converted the facility from villato to temple in Nara Period.
In early Heian Period, Kobo Daishi temporarily lived in the temple
Buddhist priest Gyoki changed the form of facility from villato to temple.
In early Kamakura Period Honen converted the temple to a Jodo sect. In 1339, following the devastation after conflict, Muso Kokushi, one of the most highly respected Zen priest and a distinguished garden designer, revived as the Zen temple.
At that time, there were Ruri-den, Gekituki-bashi bridge and so on. Islands were covered with small white stones. Moss could not be seen in the garden.
Due to the Onin War and many times of floods, the Temple was devastated without maintenance.
The garden has come to be covered with moss gradually for 400 years.
The Temple was revived in 1878.
From 1977 visitors need to resreve through round trip postcard to refrain from the tourist pollution.
Visitors can experience copying and chanting Hannya Shingyo Sutra .
Temple office and Turu-ike pond
Oga-hasu lotus blooms in early summer in Tsuru-ike pond.
Oga-hasu lotus was bred from seeds those were mined at historic remains in Chiba prefecturre.
The seeds have been buried for 2000 years.
Sairai-do (Hon-do)
Sairai-do was built by carpenters of Japanese traditional wooden
building in Showa 44 (1969).
Its timber is Hinoki cypress.
Visitors must copy Hannya Shingyo Sutra in Sairai-do and calm mind.
Kannnnon-do
Built in Meiji period.
Kannnnon-do had been Hon-do(main hall) before Sairai-do was rebuilt.
Moss around the tree base
The puffy moss around the tree base is Shiaraga-goke (Leucobryum).
The garden is famous for its velvety-green 120 different kinds of moss spread underneath the trees.
Kongo-ike pond and Yodomari-ishi
Yodomari-ishi stones area arranged at equal spaces in 2 rows in Kongo-ike
pond.
In general, it is said that the arrangement stands for ships in the port.
When Muso Soseki established Saiho-ji, they say that these stones were foundation stones of corridor connecting Ruri-den with Kannnon-do.
Kongo-ike pond and Yodomari-ishi
Ruri-den stood at the right flat place.
Kannon-do was rebuilt at the left place.
The murmur of a stream from Kongo-ike pond
This stream flows from Kongo-ike pond to Ogon-ike pond.
Ogon-ike pond,@Asahi-ga-shima island and Yuhi-ga-shima island
Hokora(Small Shrine) can be seen at the center.
Trees and moss
Direct sunlight through leaves doesn't continue for long time on
the moss.
Appropriate interval sunlight nurtures the moss.
Ogon-ike pond through the trees
Vapor from the pond prevents moss from drying and helps its growth.
Shiraga-goke moss around the tree base
Moss covers the tree base impressively.
Stone bridge bound for Shoan-do
The stream flows from Kongo-ike pond.
the stream flowing into the Kongo-ike pond
The opposite direction of the upper photo
Shoan-do
Shoan-do was built in Taisho 9(1877).
Dobei fence and gate
The garden is surrounded by Dobei.
Dobei contributes to keep proper humidity due to restrict ing ventilation.
Eiko-seki Ishigumi
Eiko-seki is located below Shonan-tei .
Shimenawa (sacred rice-straw ropes) is hung on Eiko-seki.
Surrounding stones are called Eiko-seki Ishigumi.
Muso Soseki arranged Eiko-seki Ishigumi 700 years ago.
Eiko-seki
Shimenawa (sacred rice-straw ropes) is hung on Eiko-seki.
Surrounding stones are called Eiko-seki Ishigumi.
Shimenawa is changed at every new year.
This is enlarged one of red frame in the formrer photo.
Eiko-seki Ishigumi
Ogon-ike pond can be seen beyond the trees.
Eiko-seki Ishigumi is connected with Ogon-ike pond.
Dobei fence
Dobei contributes to keep proper humidity due to restrict ing ventilation.
Shonan-tei
Important cultural property
Momoyama period
Shoan who is the son of Sen-no-Rikyu rebuilt Shonan-tei.
Tsukimi-dai of Shonan-tei
Tsukimi-dai is a side terrace for viewing reflection of moon light
on Ogon-ike pond.
The ceiling is plastered with soil.
Doma-hisashi (eaved earth foor)
Stepping stones are lain on Doma.
Central Shoji is an entrance for noble person into Tea room.
North side of Shonan-tei
Logs are used for pillars and hand rails.
The structure of stone wall and wood lattce can be seen undre the floor.
Machiai (waiting room)
Machiai and tea room are in the same house.
Roji is a simple and narrow space.
Shonan-tei whole view
At the end of Edo period, Tomomi Iwakura who was a close adviser
of Emperor had been hiding from investigation of Shogun group.
The right stone pillar is the monument.
Ohgon-ike pond viewed from Shonan-tei
Shoan-do and Eiko-seki Ishigumi can be seen from the left to the middle.
Kasumi-jima island
Sanzon-seki (three noble stones) can be seen at the left of island.
Sanzon-seki (three noble stones)
Central large stone is Shaka-Nyorai.
The left is Monju-Bosatsu.
The right is Hugen-Bosatsu.
Kasumi-jima island whole view
At first when Muso Soseki created the garden, the island was covered
with white sand.
Ruri-den stood on the lefe hand of the photo and Yogetsu-bashi bridge stood on the right hand.
Kasumi-jima island and dobashi bridge
Tsuru-jima is seen beyond dobashi bridge.
Kasumi-jima island whole view
After walking several steps, varied secne is coming out.
Kame-jima island
Kame-jima island is a small mountain that has some low trees at the back of pond.
Kasumi-jima island whole view
Tsuru-jima island and Dobashi bridge
Tsuru-jima island has harmonized scenery like Ikebana or Bonsai.
Dobashi bridge for Kasumi-jima island
Surrounding Ishi-gumi is splendid.
Bridge between Kasumi-jima island and Asahi-ga-shima island
This scenery symbolizes Janpanese coast, island and bridge.
Kasumi-jima island
Kasumi-jima island has profound atomosphere in every aspect.
Tsuru-jima island
Tsuru-jima island seems to be a brilliant Ikebana.
Kasumi-jima island and Asahi-ga-shima island
The bridge is only an artificial thing, but it is united with the
surrounding nature.
Ohgon-ike pond and Kasumi-jima island whole view
When the garden is created, islands were coverd with white sand.
Which do you like better white sand or current green moss?
I feel delighted to think of it.
Tsuru-jima island and dobashi
This is zoomed up Tsuru-jima island.
It seems both natural and artistic.
Transparent Ohgon-ike pond
This scenery is associated with Taiko-bashi(arched bridge) at Monet's
garden in Giverny.
Kasumi-jima island north side view
Splendid Ishigumi offers fresh impression in every aspect.
Tsuru-jima island and dobashi
After walking every several steps, we are impressed by other vared
aspect of Tsuru-jima island and dobashi.
Ohgon-ike pond and Tsuru-jima island
The contrast between moss and pond is wonderful.
Tsuru-jima island and dobashi
The reflection of green leaves on the pond is very beautiful.
Thickly piled Shiraga-goke moss
Piled Shiraga-goke moss here is especialy thick and splendid.
Hyohoku-tei
Hyohoku-tei was built in Showa 3 (1928).
Round window of Hyohoku-tei
View through round window of Hyohoku-tei
Ohgon-ike pond
Stones and plants in the front are like isitsuki-bonsai(growing-in-a-rock).
Ohgon-ike pond and boat
The boat makes more emotion.
The atmosphere is mysterious like an animation film.
Shiraga-goke moss
Shiraga-goke moss gather together and become round colony.
This is a major moss in Saiho-ji.
Care for moss
If fallen leaves are not removed, the moss will wither.
Sweeping fallen leaves every day contributes to nurture beautiful moss.
Maintenance tools
Tools are made of nature material. So they are familiar with garden
sight.
Yodomari-ishi and moss
Kongo-ike pond and Yodomari-ishi can be seen over the trees.
700 yars ago, when Saiho-ji was established, Ruri-den stood on this flat area.
Ginkaku-ji was designed with refered to Ruri-den.
Stream among the moss
Saiho-ji is located in the valley at foot of west side mountains
around Kyoto Basin.
The land area is a gentle slope and facing east.
Therefore, many springs well in the garden and make some small stream.
Moss earth (panorama)
Rich groundwater provide the gaden with proper moisture.
Small basin like land area keeps humidity naturally and makes good environmet to nurture moss.
Tobi-ishi (stepping stone)
Stepping stone bound for Kannnon-do
Small stream is on the right.
Koujou-kan gate
Built in Meiji Period
Tusho-ro path
Path bound for Shito-an
Shumisen Ishigumi
Shumisen means central sacred mountain in the ancient India veiw
of the world.
Shito-an
In genneral, Kaizan-do is a house where the founder of the temple
is enshrined.
Muso Soseki is enshrined in Shito-an.
Shito-an is a proper name of Kaizando in Saiho-ji.
Shinnyo-hoshinno Ihai
Ihai is a Buddhist memorial tablet ofthe deceased.
Monk-Imperial Prince Shinnyo is the third son of Emperor Heizei. He became a priest and Kukai's disciple.
They practiced discipline together in the former temple of Saiho-ji.
Koinzan Karesansui Ishigumi
Koinzan Karesansui Ishigumi was created by Muso Soseki 700 years
ago.
This is the eldest Zen Buddhism garden in Japan.
The Ishigumi has two stage structure.
Koinzan Karesansui Ishigumi
Koinzan Karesansui Ishigumi (upper stage)
This is upper stage of Koinzan Karesansui Ishigumi in the back.
Seated statue of Muso Soseki
Muso Soseki revived Saiho-ji temple.
This statue was carved right after his decease.
This photo was taken from the east wall of Shito-an.
There is Shinnyo-hoshinno Ihai in the same room.
Ryugensui spring
Muso Soseki and successive Zen priests had cleaned thier hands before
they practice Zazen.
