Shisen-do Temple, Kyoto

Shisen-do Temple was the residence of the Edo-period samurai Jozan Ishikawa (1583-1672). Ishikawa was a prominent samurai who served Ieyasu Tokugawa, the first Tokugawa shogun. At age 59, Ishikawa decided to retire and follow his long-standing interest in literature. In 1641 he built his residence on the northeastern edge of the city and devoted himself to Chinese poetry and philosophy. He designed the famous garden that surrounds the residence. After Ishikawa's death, the house was turned into a Buddhist temple.

The official name of this temple is Jozan-ji Temple but most people know it as Shisen-do Temple as one of the rooms in the main building is called the Shisen no Ma or the Room of China's 36 Great Poets. Along the upper walls of the room hang portraits of China's 36 legendary poets painted by Tanyu Kano (1602-1674). To each portrait Ishikawa added a poem by that poet.

In addition to his literary talents, Ishikawa is also well known as a garden designer. He designed several gardens in Kyoto including the one surrounding his residence. From the study at Shisen-do Temple visitors can enjoy splendid views of the garden including its sculpted azalea bushes (which bloom in May) and a backdrop of beautiful maple trees. After seeing the main building visitors can enter the garden, which has a lovely mountain stream running through it, and see a wide range of seasonal flowers and plants and a small bamboo grove.

The garden is famous for its shishi odoshi, a device used to scare away deer and wild boar. It consists of a bamboo pipe set up like a teeter totter. One end of the pipe is filled by a small waterfall. When the pipe end is full it falls on a rock and makes a loud knock!

Open: 9:00-17:00; 500 yen; Tel: 075-781-2954;

http://www.kyoto-shisendo.com/

From:

http://www.kyotoguide.com/ver2/thismonth/maple-viewing-11.html