Taizō-in

Taizō-in (退蔵院) is the oldest sub-temple (tatchū (塔頭)) of the Myōshin-ji Rinzai Zen Buddhist temple, situated in the northwest of Kyoto, Japan. It was founded by Zen priest in 1404. The original temple buildings were burned during the Ōnin War (1467-1477), and were later rebuilt.

Taizō-in is well known for its two gardens. The main garden, Motonobu-no-niwa, is a traditional Japanese dry landscape garden (karesansui), containing several angular rocks suggesting the cliffs of the island of Hōrai, with smaller stones suggesting a stream. The planting is mostly evergreen, including camellia, pine, and Japanese umbrella pine. It covers 50 tsubo (170 m²) and was designed to integrate a borrowing of scenery ("shakkei") of a view of in the distance. It is thought to be the final work of Muromachi painter Kanō Motonobu (狩野 元信), reproducing one of his paintings in three dimensions.

A new pond garden, or yoko-en, was designed by in 1963–1966. The new garden is large enough for visitors to walk in, and contains azaleas and a stream that cascades along the main axis, directly toward the main viewing position. The stream flows around rocks, gradually widening until it empties into a pool in front of the viewer.

Catching catfish with a gourd (Hyōnen-zu) by Josetsu

Taizō-in holds one of Japan's oldest ink paintings, Catching catfish with a gourd (紙本墨画淡彩瓢鮎図, hyōnen-zu), c.1413, by Josetsu (如拙), which is a National Treasure of Japan. It is identified as a turning point in Muromachi painting, and represents a Zen koan.

References[]

• Secret teachings in the art of Japanese gardens, David A. Slawson, p. 100
• A guide to the gardens of Kyoto, Marc Treib and Ron Herman, p. 86

External links[]

• Taizō-in Official website
• Head Temples of Zen Buddhism

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Taizouin, Myoshinji.

Coordinates: 35°01′20″N 135°43′10″E / 35.0222°N 135.7194°E / 35.0222; 135.7194

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