Kinkaku-ji+(Golden+Pavilion)

In 1398, in Northern Kyoto, Japan, a man name Ashikaga Yoshimitsu built a villa called Kinkaku-ji, or Rokuon -ji ("Deer Park Temple"). After he died, his son, turned the villa into a Zen temple. The Zen temple was created and dedicated to Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy. During the time it was being built, garden design was very popular, so finding beautiful gardens at Kinkaki-ji is common. The temple has many buildings, the most popular building is the Golden Pavilion. The Golden Pavilion, built in 1397, is a three-story building that has pure gold leaf on its second and third story. The name "Kinkaku" actually came from the gold leaf.

During the Onin War, 1467 to 1477, all of the buildings, expect for the Golden Pavilion, were burned to the ground. It took many years for all the buildings to be built, but everything went well until the 1950s. On July 2nd, 1950, the Golden Pavilion was burned to ashes by Hayashi Yoken, a mentally ill monk who was attempting to commit suicide. He was sentenced to seven years in jail for his crimes.

The temple was rebuilt in 1955. The newer pavilion is supposed to be an exact copy of the original. It has a gold coating, which many doubt was on the original pavilion. The gold leaf coating is meant to purify negative thoughts. Recently, Kinkaku-ji was designated a Unesco World Cultural Heritage Site. The pond and gardens attract many tourists, but the Golden Pavilion is the most attractive piece found there. The golden leaf building makes a stunning display with the garden in the background. In 1398, in Northern Kyoto, Japan, a man name Ashikaga Yoshimitsu built a villa called Kinkaku-ji, or Rokuon -ji ("Deer Park Temple"). After he died, his son, turned the villa into a Zen temple. The Zen temple was created and dedicated to Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy. During the time it was being built, garden design was very popular, so finding beautiful gardens at Kinkaki-ji is common. The temple has many buildings, the most popular building is the Golden Pavilion. The Golden Pavilion, built in 1397, is a three-story building that has pure gold leaf on its second and third story. The name "Kinkaku" actually came from the gold leaf.

During the Onin War, 1467 to 1477, all of the buildings, expect for the Golden Pavilion, were burned to the ground. It took many years for all the buildings to be built, but everything went well until the 1950s. On July 2nd, 1950, the Golden Pavilion was burned to ashes by Hayashi Yoken, a mentally ill monk who was attempting to commit suicide. He was sentenced to seven years in jail for his crimes.

The temple was rebuilt in 1955. The newer pavilion is supposed to be an exact copy of the original. It has a gold coating, which many doubt was on the original pavilion. The gold leaf coating is meant to purify negative thoughts. Recently, Kinkaku-ji was designated a Unesco World Cultural Heritage Site. The pond and gardens attract many tourists, but the Golden Pavilion is the most attractive piece found there. The golden leaf building makes a stunning display with the garden in the background.