Photos

After a first -not very succesful- picture of the Ginkaku-ji here is a view of a part of the sand garden. As you've seen on my previous post, the weather wasn't really beautiful but at least for this one and didn't had to find a way to hide the sun. It is a karaesanisui garden (dry garden) called Ginshaden or the Sea of Silver Sand. The "garden" consists of a 2 foot platforms of sand that covers almost one hectare. It is meant to be viewed as a sea, though the lines are far too straight and perfect to create such a clear illusion. It is truly a wonderful sight that you can lose yourself in. The highly labor intensive maintenance of the garden requires that the platform walls be reshaped and the garden re-raked everyday, check this site for some pictures. Though amazing at any time of the day, the best view of the garden is said to be at night with a full moon shining on the sand, making it truly resemble a calm, peaceful, silver sea. But at that time the temple is closed...