This Zen temple is built as part of Hosokawa Katsumoto’s reconstruction of the Tokudaiji family’s old vill in 1450. The temple is known for its rectangular-shaped garden covered by white sand, decorated with 15 pieces of rocks of various sizes in a Karesansui (“dry landscape”) style. The layout of the rocks is specifically designed so when you look at any angle, there will always be one or two rocks out of sight. This is said to represent the teaching of Zen－the interpretation of this theme relating to the garden may vary depending on the viewer’s thoughts and emotions.
