The Hojo garden of Daisen-in is a garden which had a major impact on the generations which came after.
Before this garden came into existence, gardens had been created for ornamental purposes and sometimes in order to show off the power of their influential owners to their guests.
However, the dry landscape garden of Daisen-in was created by the head priest Kogaku Soko for carrying out Zen practices.
A dry landscape garden is a garden style that represents natural features, such as mountains and rivers, without using water.
Originally, monks believed that the ideal place for Zen training was untamed nature, a place where monks could reflect on themselves in a tranquil natural environment.
Kogaku Soko tried to recreate this ideal practicing environment in the limited space of a temple located in the city.
Through grasping the very essence of Zen, Kogaku Soko’s passion allowed him ultimately to create a garden great enough to have a significant influence on gardens in Zen temples throughout the country.
Focus your thoughts as you look at this garden.
This is a chance to catch a glimpse of the very essence of the Zen spirit.
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