Ginkaku-ji (銀閣寺 Ginkaku-ji), the "Temple of the Silver Pavilion," is a Zen temple in the Sakyo ward of Kyoto, Japan. It is one of the constructions that represent the Higashiyama Culture of Muromachi period.
Its construction began February 21, 1482 (Bummei 14 , 4th day of the 2nd month).[3]
Like Kinkaku-ji, Ginkaku-ji was originally built to serve as a place of
rest and solitude for the Shogun. During his reign as Shogun, Ashikaga
Yoshimasa inspired a new outpouring of traditional culture, which came
to be known as Higashiyama Bunka
(the Culture of the Eastern Mountain).
During the Ōnin War, construction was halted. Despite Yoshimasa's intention to cover the structure with a distinctive
silver-foil overlay, this work was delayed for so long that the plans
were never realized before Yoshimasa's death. The present appearance of
the structure is understood to be the same as when Yoshimasa himself
last saw it. This "unfinished" appearance illustrates one of the aspects
of "wabi-sabi" quality.[2]
Having retired to the villa, it
is said Yoshimasa sat in the pavilion, contemplating the calm and beauty
of the gardens as the Ōnin War worsened and Kyoto was burned to the
ground.
After extensive restoration, started February 2008, Ginkaku-ji is again
in full glory to visit. There is still no silver foil used. After much discussion, it
was decided to not refinish the lacquer to the original state. The
lacquer finish was the source of the original silver appearance of the
temple, with the reflection of silver water of the pond on the lacquer
finish.
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