Small shelter for jizo statues (Jizo-do) near the rock garden (Photo: Tomoko Kamishima)

Kamakura’s Zuisen-ji Temple

Experience a pure Zen rock garden

Tomoko Kamishima   - 1 min read

The first chief priest at Zuisen-ji Temple was Muso Soseki. He was not only a high level Zen Buddhist monk but also a Zen artist (especially for calligraphy, poetry, and garden design). He completed this temple’s Zen rock garden in 1328 when he was 53 years old. A cave (Tennyo-do) dug into the rock was designed for the purpose of Za-zen practice. He often held poetry meetings at a small hall on the cliff (Henkai-ichiran-tei; not open to the public) from which the members could enjoy a stunning view of Mt. Fuji.

Tomoko Kamishima

Tomoko Kamishima @tomoko.kamishima

Japan is a small island nation, but we have a huge number of surprising things to discover here. Many of these delights can be found when you step off the main street onto small side paths. I really enjoy studying about and researching various aspects of traditional Japanese culture, and then sha...