 Enkoji (圓光寺 or 円光寺) is located almost right north of Shisen-do (詩仙道). It was founded by zen priest Genkitsu in 1601, in the Fushimi area (Genkitsu actually started a few other temples across Japan). Enko-ji moved to the premises of Shokokuji (相国寺) and finally to its present location in 1667. The temple edited many classic books, and anout 50.000 wooden printing types used for these publications are conserved in the temple.
At the entrance of the temple and its garden is a "suikinkutsu", a water basin which drips in an underground chamber, each drop making a nice metallic sound. You will have to put your ears close to the bamboo pipes to hear it though. According to the pamphlet the pond in the garden is the "oldest in northern Kyoto", but I'm not sure what they mean by "oldest pond". Maybe the oldest pond used in a zen garden?
As with all maple tree gardens, they are best viewed (and photographed!) in spring and autumn, for the "aomomiji" (green young leaves) and the standard "momiji" respectively. During your tour of the garden, a path climbs to an upper cemetery bordered by tall pine trees. Aside from the garden, the main hall has nice sliding doors with paintings of bamboo on them. There is also a tea room located at the deep end of the hall. You cannot enter it, but it shouldn't stop you from taking a picture ;-) Keywords: temple, enkoji, 圓光寺, enkouji, enkou-ji, enko-ji, 円光寺, 寺院, 卍, お寺, 瑞巌山圓光寺 5 visits, 24 photos, id: 173 |
