Tiigra:
Kyoto. Ryoan-ji (Temple of the peaceful dragon). This is a temple belonging to the Myoshin-ji school of the Rinzai branch of the Zen sect. The earliest temple recorded on this site dates from 983.
Tiigra:
Kyoto, Ryoan-ji. Entering the temple grounds you first stroll past the beautiful Kyoyochi ("Mirror shaped") Pond. This pond was created by the Tokudaiji family in the 12th century.
Tiigra:
Kyoto. Ryoan-ji. The larger island one is called Benten-jima and has a small causeway/bridge leading across to a shrine to Benten - the sole female deity among the 7 Shinto gods of good luck. The other island is Fushitora-jima ("Hiding tiger island").
Tiigra:
Kyoto. Ryoan-ji was originally the estate of one of the branches of the Fujiwara family during the Heian period. After serving as the retirement home of an emperor it became a temple known as Tokudai-ji (also referred to as Enyu-ji).
Tiigra:
Kyoto, Ryoan-ji. The Hojo has 6 tatami matted rooms each of which open onto the wide veranda that surrounds the building.
Tiigra:
Kyoto, Ryoan-ji. The altar room is at the back in the center, so it is connected to each of the other 5 rooms. The altar room has a dragon painted on the ceiling and an image of Buddha as the veneration object.
