You鈥檝e probably seen a picture of the rock garden here 鈥 it鈥檚 one of the symbols of Kyoto and one of Japan鈥檚 better-known sights. 搁测艒补苍-箩颈 belongs to the Rinzai school and was founded in 1450. The garden, an oblong of sand with an austere collection of 15 carefully placed rocks, apparently adrift in a sea of sand, is enclosed by an earthen wall. The designer, who remains unknown to this day, provided no explanation.
Although many historians believe the garden was arranged by S艒ami during the Muromachi period (1333鈥1568), some contend that it is a much later product of the Edo period. It is Japan鈥檚 most famous hira-niwa (flat garden void of hills or ponds) and reveals the stunning simplicity and harmony of the principles of Zen meditation.
There is no doubt that it鈥檚 a mesmerising and attractive sight, but it鈥檚 hard to enjoy amid the mobs who come to check it off their 鈥榤ust-see list鈥. An early-morning visit on a weekday is probably your best hope of seeing the garden under contemplative conditions. If you go when it鈥檚 crowded, you鈥檒l find the less-famous garden around the corner of the stone garden a nice escape.
