Ginkakuji Temple is located at the foot of Higashiyama (East Mountain) in Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan.
It is registered as a World Heritage Site as part of the "Cultural Properties of Ancient Kyoto" and is a popular tourist spot in Kyoto, along with the golden Kinkakuji Temple.
However, despite the name "Ginkakuji," it is not silver in color, and many people are surprised to see it in person.
Many people may know the name, but not the background and history behind its construction.
In this article, I, a resident of Kyoto, will tell you about "Ginkakuji", the reason why it was built and the origin of its name.
History of Ginkakuji Temple
Ginkakuji Temple, located at the foot of Higashiyama in Kyoto, is known as a masterpiece of Higashiyama culture, which flourished in the late 15th century and valued simplicity and refinement. Ginkakuji Temple is known as a representative of the Higashiyama Culture, which flourished in the late 15th century.
Its official name is "Jishoji Temple.
The Higashiyama Culture is based on the aesthetic senses of "wabi" and "sabi," which are unique to the Japanese people.
In Japan in the late 15th century, when the Higashiyama culture flourished, many calm works of art, architecture and works of art with a simple but refined beauty were produced.
Wabi" means a quiet taste that eschews showy decorations, and expresses the idea of focusing on the "spiritual" rather than on the place or the utensils.
The word "sabi" means "old" and "tasteful." It expresses the taste that comes out of old age, and the feeling of beauty that comes from the decay of things and life.
The "Higashiyama Culture," which does not value ornate decoration and splendor, but rather appreciates the beauty of "simple" and "aged" things, is a uniquely Japanese aesthetic. The Ginkakuji Temple, a symbolic structure of the Higashiyama Culture, has become famous as a place worth seeing.
Relationship with Kinkakuji Temple
The "Ginkakuji" was founded in 1482 by Ashikaga Yoshimasa, the 8th shogun of the Muromachi Shogunate (1338-1573), who was the ruler of Japan at the time.
Ashikaga Yoshimasa's grandfather was Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, the builder of the gilded Kinkakuji Temple, and Yoshimasa built a temple with a completely different style from his grandfather's. Yoshimasa built a temple with a completely different atmosphere from that of his grandfather.
▼ Kinkakuji Temple
The Ginkakuji Temple is said to have been built on the model of the Kinkakuji Temple.
There are various theories as to whether silver leaf was originally intended to be applied to the Ginkakuji Temple, such as, "The temple was originally intended to be covered with silver leaf, but due to financial difficulties caused by the period of warfare, it was decided not to..." However, it is speculated that the temple was intended to symbolize the "Higashiyama culture" that was popular at the time, and was intended to have an atmosphere of "wabi" and "sabi". However, it is speculated that they wanted to create an atmospheric building with a sense of "wabi" and "sabi" as a building symbolizing the "Higashiyama culture" that was popular at the time.
Built against the backdrop of the Onin War
Ashikaga Yoshimasa, who built the Ginkakuji Temple, is known as the general who caused the "Onin War (1467-1477)" in Kyoto, which triggered the turbulent period later known as the Sengoku Period. "Ashikaga Yoshimasa" is known as the general who caused the "Onin War (1467 - 1477).
Yoshimasa is known for his role in shaping the Higashiyama culture, but he lacked political skills and was unable to govern in warfare. In 1473, he handed over the position of barbarian general to his son and went into retirement.
The Muromachi Palace, the residence of the barbarian general, was given to his son, who needed a place to live and began to build a villa that would become the "Ginkakuji" temple.
Construction of the Ginkakuji Temple began in 1482, shortly after the end of the Onin War.
In 1483, the year after construction began, Yoshimasa moved into the yet-to-be-completed "Ginkakuji" and began living there.
Later, despite the financial difficulties of the Muromachi Shogunate, Yoshimasa continued construction of the "Ginkakuji" temple, forcing the people to pay higher taxes and perform more labor.
Ginkakuji Temple is a wonderful place where one can feel the uniquely Japanese sense of beauty of "wabi" and "sabi," but it is beautiful only because of the hard work of the people of that time.
Yoshimasa lived an elegant life, surrounded by calligraphy and paintings, and enjoying the tea ceremony, but he died in 1490 before seeing "the completion of the Ginkakuji Temple.
The "Ginkakuji" was built as Yoshimasa's residence, and was eventually renamed "Jishoji" as a temple to mourn his passing.
History of "Ginkakuji" after Yoshimasa's death
After Yoshimasa's death, "Ginkakuji" declined with the decline of the Muromachi Shogunate, and in 1550, the temple was involved in a war in which much of the building was destroyed by fire.
Later, during the Edo period (1603 - 1868), with assistance from the shogunate of the time, the gardens that remain today were constructed and many buildings were restored.
In 1994, it was registered as a World Heritage Site as a "cultural asset of the ancient capital of Kyoto" and is now a famous tourist attraction that attracts visitors not only from Japan but also from all over the world.
Feel the beauty of "Wabi and Sabi" peculiar to Japan at Ginkakuji Temple!
Thus, "Ginkakuji" is one of the most famous sightseeing spots in Japan with a different beauty from that of "Kinkakuji" which is famous for its gorgeousness.
It is also famous as a place that symbolizes "wabi" and "sabi," the unique Japanese sense of beauty, so if you are interested in this place, please visit it.
▼ Jishoji Temple Ginkakuji Temple
Address: 2 Ginkakuji-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto City
Phone:075-771-5725
Access: 5 min. walk from Ginkakuji-mae bus stop or 10 min. walk from Ginkakuji-michi bus stop by city bus.
Visiting hours: Spring (March 1-November 30) 8:30-17:00 / Winter (December 1-February 31) 9:00-16:30
Open all year round
Admission: Adults (high school students and older) 500 yen, elementary and junior high school students 300 yen
https://www.shokoku-ji.jp/ginkakuji/
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