When we entered the temple grounds, we strolled past the beautiful Kyoyochi ("mirror shaped") Pond. This pond was created in the 12th century. It is home to many waterbirds, and until recently to many Mandarin ducks - so much so that the pond was generally known amongst Japanese as "Oshidori ike" - the pond of mandarin ducks. They say that Oshidori ducks only choose one mate during their life so if the partner bird dies, the duck never mates with other birds. How romantic!=)
Kyoyochi Pond
posing as ducks in the pond =P
leading to the rock garden
Ryoan-ji is famous for its Zen Garden. It is actually a very simple rock garden, consisting of nothing but white gravel, sand, and 15 rocks. This rock garden, however, is considered to be one of the absolute masterpieces of Japanese culture.
Why? The garden is constructed in the "dry landscape" style called Karesansui. The garden contains 15 rocks arranged on the surface of white pebbles in such a manner that visitors can see only 14 of them at once, no matter what angle the garden is viewed from. It is said that only when you attain spiritual enlightenment as a result of deep Zen meditation, can you see the last invisible stone. Interesting,eh?
When Nunu and I were there we didn't know this fact so we were wondering why a lot of people were staring so intently into the rock garden! I wasn't able to take pictures of it too.
Check out this link for a photo of the rock garden:
http://www.taleofgenji.org/ryoanji.html
I learned later on that it can't be photographed in its entirety, the dimensions would drive any photographer mad! To my untrained eye at that time, it was just a simple, charming rock garden. I should have paid more attention.
The Kuri or monk's quarters in Ryoanji is also interesting. It is attached to the Hojo by a wide wooden corridor. The Hojo is the Abbot's quarters.The Hojo has 6 tatami matted rooms each of which open onto the wide veranda that surrounds the building.
Hmmm...nice!
Next: more of Japan!
