{"id":22045,"date":"2025-07-18T20:23:47","date_gmt":"2025-07-18T11:23:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.allway-japan.com\/?post_type=travelpost&p=22045"},"modified":"2025-08-28T10:13:41","modified_gmt":"2025-08-28T01:13:41","slug":"%e5%b8%b8%e6%a0%84%e5%af%ba%e9%9b%aa%e8%88%9f%e5%ba%ad","status":"publish","type":"travelpost","link":"https:\/\/www.allway-japan.com\/en\/travelpost\/22045\/","title":{"rendered":"Joeiji Sesshu Garden"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Outline<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The garden is said to have been designed by Sessh\u016b, a monk and renowned ink painter, about 500 years ago during the era of My\u014dkiji Temple, when \u014cuchi Masahiro used it as a villa.\nIt is now designated as a National Historic Site and Place of Scenic Beauty.\nThe garden is located on the north side of the main hall, with an inner garden covering approximately 30 ares, surrounded by forests on the east, west, and north sides.\nIn recent years, these surrounding forests have also been included in the designated area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The stones used in the garden are said to be diorite transported from nearby mountains.\nThe garden features a waterfall on the north side and a central pond called Muzen-ike (Shinji-ike), surrounded by an abundance of arranged garden stones. Many of these stones are standing stones, a characteristic feature of the Muromachi period.\nAbove the garden, there is a small hill that serves as the water source for Shimei-ike and Benten-ike.\nThe water from Benten-ike flows in two directions:\nOne stream flows into Senry\u016b-ike and then into Muzen-ike via Senjikei.\nThe other stream flows past Zazen-seki and into the pond.\nThe waterfall on the north side is known as Godokei in the lower part and Y\u014dunkei in the upper part, with Shimei-ike situated above it.\nAlthough the waterfall is now dry and called a \u201cdry waterfall,\u201d it is believed that water originally flowed through it. The stone arrangement of the waterfall is impressive and strongly reflects the characteristics of the Muromachi period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the pond, there are four islands known as Shisen-t\u014d (Four Immortal Islands).\nOn the eastern shore of the pond, there is a large stone called Butsu-seki (Buddha Stone), which is a combination of Reish\u014d-seki and T\u014dkei-seki stones.\nTo the northwest, there are stone arrangements known as J\u016broku Rakan (Sixteen Arhats) and a stone called Zazen-seki (Meditation Stone).\nIn front of the main hall to the south, a stone symbolizing Mount Fuji (called Fugaku) is placed at the center.\nIn front of this, there are stone arrangements that represent three mountains and five peaks of the Chinese continent, including:\nSh\u016bnanzan\nGotaisan\nRozan\nKazanzan\nK\u014dzan\nHyakuj\u014dzan\nThis design is said to be inspired by Sessh\u016b\u2019s vision of the Chinese landscape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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