Kyoto

Autumn at Kyoto's Shisendo

Graceful villa at Ichijo Temple in Kyoto

Takako Sakamoto Dec 01, 2014 - 1 min read

<p>The striking contrast between a white wall and red maple leaves attracts your attention</p>

<p>The landmark view of Shisendo! Appreciate the beautiful contrast of red maple leaves and green leaves of azaleas</p>

<p>Jozan, who designed Shisendo, paid meticulous attention to the small details of this place</p>

<p>Visitors appreciating beautiful autumn leaves from the Room of Shisen</p>

<p>Brilliant autumn colors are pleasing to the eyes of the beholders</p>

<p>Autumn leaves hang in front the graceful roof of the villa</p>

<p>Silver grass, persimmons and maple leaves...everything to set the autumn scene can be found here at Shisendo</p>

<p>Tranquil and beautiful, the entrance gate of Shisendo is surrounded by bamboo groves</p>

On 22nd November 2014, I visited Shisendo Villa at Ichijo-ji Temple, in Rakuhoku Area of Kyoto. Commonly known as Shisendo, the villa's official name is Ooto-Tsuka. Shisendo is just one of the rooms of villa. 'Ooto-Tsuka' means a house built on uneven ground.

Shisendo was built by Ishikawa Jozan. The Ishikawa family were loyal subjects of theTokugawa family, and Jozan himself served in a position close to Tokugawa Ieyasu.

Ishikawa Jozan was also a talented garden designer, who contributed to repair works of Katsura Imperial Villa and Kikoku-Tei (Shosei-En).

When I looked at the garden, I could sense his meticulous attention to detail, as well as his strong passion for this place, and I was mesmerized by the beauty of autumn leaves at Shisendo Villa.

Takako Sakamoto @takako.sakamoto

I was born in and grew up in Tokushima prefecture, and have lived in many places since then: Nishinomiya, Kyoto, Nara, Mie, Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, Fukuoka and Fukui. I am currently living in Yokohama City. All the places I lived, all the places I visited, I have loved dearly. The histor...