Landscape Feature and Spacing of Saiho-ji Temple Garden

Abstract

Saiho-ji was reconstructed by Muso Kokushi as the temple of the Zen sect at the close of the Karnak ura period. Until that time it had belonged to the Jodo
sect. This changing from the Jodo into the Zen sect has geat significance for the garden attached to the temple. That is, in Saiho-ji garden, there are features of both doctrines associated with yearning for nature.
One is the lower part of the garden displdIayed around the pond which has an atmosphere of Jodo or Japanese paradice based on Jodo doctrine. The other is the upper hillside excellent for the overpowering composition of stones of Kamakura style. Besides these, there is an approach having a role of the foregsarden. Trees and moss growing there anticipate the seasonal signs of the whole garden. These three parts are combined organically and form the basic pattern of a Japanese traditional garden.
Upon this pattern, are stone compositons, a thick grove returniug to nature and dozens of mosses beneath it, which fascinate the caller, and by those elements Zen thought pervades the whole garden. That is the characteristic feature of tqe Saiho-ji garden.