The Japanese Gardens

Elements / Stones

In the Muromachi Period, the task of selecting and placing stones sometimes fell to members of the kawaramono, or "river-bed people," a group of outcasts living along the riverbanks of Kyoto's Kamo River. In at least one instance, a kawaramono became not only a garden designer but also a general advisor to the shogun in matters of aesthetics (Zen'ami, 1386-1482). The garden of Ginkaku-ji, represented on this page, has been attributed to him.

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Nijo Castle
Nanzen-ji Daikaku-ji Daisen-in Nijo Castle
Saiho-ji Shusui-tei Tenju-an Tenryu-ji
Ginkaku-ji Daisen-in Honen-in Kinkaku-ji
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