Ryoanji: Temple of Dragon at Peace

Enjoy 'Kyoyochi Pond', once a mandarin duck playground

Takako Sakamoto Sep 25, 2014 - 2 min read

<p>As a playground of mandarin ducks, this pond used to be more famous than the now renowned 'Rock Garden' of Ryoan-ji Temple. On the left is Benten-jima (island)</p>

<p>Ryoan-ji Temple used to be a villa of the Tokudaiji family...this gate gives the impression that it was a residence, not a temple</p>

<p>'Kyoyochi Pond'...I visited in June, when the fresh green was beautiful, and I found pretty water lilies instead of irises, which would bloom later</p>

<p>'Rock Garden', a symbol of Ryoan-ji Temple. This garden can be interpreted in many ways, depending on each viewer's thought or beliefs</p>

<p>At the top of the stairs stands the administration office (the Kuri building), which is connected to the Hojo building in which the Rock Garden is located</p>

<p>When you pass the main gate and Kyoyochi Pond, and walk along the pathway leading to the administration office (the Kuri building), you'll find this stone statue of Buddha on your left</p>

<p>Water purification font beside the stone statue of Buddha</p>

<p>When you pass through the main gate, this tunnel of fresh green woods awaits you</p>

Ryoan-ji Temple is internationally renowned for its 'Rock Garden (Karesansui Garden)', and it was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as one of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto.

I visited this temple in June this year, when the fresh green was beautiful and the temple was less crowded.

Just after passing through the main gate, you'll see the large pond, 'Kyoyochi Pond', spreading in front of you. This pond used to be called 'Oshidori (Mandarin Duck) Pond', because mandarin ducks used to play around in this pond.

They say that a long time ago Kyoyochi Pond used to be more famous than the Rock Garden. In my opinion this pond looks more natural than the artificial Rock Garden, but right now the Rock Garden is incomparably famous world-wide! Sadly, there are no more mandarin ducks playing around in this pond. But instead, I found some cormorants leisurely resting here.

Ryoan-ji Temple Series 1. Ryoanji: Temple of Dragon at Peace 2. The Rock Garden of Ryoan-ji Temple

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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...