(27 May 2009) SHOTLIST
Ryoanji Temple, Kyoto -13 April 2009
1. Ike Niwa (the Lake Garden) at Ryoanji Temple
2. Pull focus on Plum Blossom
3. Bird in maple tree
4. Camellia flower on mossy ground
Ryogen Inn Temple, Kyoto -12 April 2009
5. Various of Isshidan karesansui (dry landscape garden or dry garden) at Ryogen-Inn
Kyoto University of Art and Design, Kyoto -12 April 2009
6. Set up of Professor Naka Takahiro
7. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Professor Naka Takahiro, Japanese Garden Research Centre, Kyoto University of Art and Design:
“The term ‘karesansui’ first appeared in a book written around 900 years ago.”
Ryogen Inn Temple, Kyoto -12 April 2009
8. Section of Isshidan karesansui garden in Ryogen Inn Temple
Kyoto University of Art and Design, Kyoto -12 April 2009
9. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Professor Naka Takahiro, Japanese Garden Research Centre, Kyoto University of Art and Design:
“At first the term was used to refer to making gardens without using rivers or other water sources. As time passed the term changed meaning and came to refer to a specific kind of garden that depicted natural landscapes without using water. This is what the term ‘karesansui’ has come to mean.”
Ryogen Inn Temple, Kyoto -12 April 2009
10. Isshidan karesansui garden within Ryogen Inn Temple
11. Pan of Ryugintei (Shining Dragon Garden) at Ryogen Inn
12. Stones depicting Mt. Sumeru, the axis of the universe in Buddhist cosmology
Ryoanji Temple, Kyoto -13 April 2009
13. Pan of a section of Japan’s most celebrated karesansui garden at Ryoan-ji Temple
Kyoto University of Art and Design, Kyoto -12 April 2009
14. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Professor Naka Takahiro, Japanese Garden Research Centre, Kyoto University of Art and Design:
“Karesansui or dry landscape gardens are often referred to as “Zen Gardens.” However, the fact is that the karesansui style of garden actually predates the establishment of Zen Buddhism in Japan. When gardens were built in Zen temples however, Zen adopted the karesansui style and it might be said that Zen took karesansui gardens to another level.”
Ryoan-ji Temple, Kyoto -13 April 2009
15. Rectangular karesansui garden connected to the Abbot’s quarters in Ryoan-ji Temple
Ryogen Inn Temple Kyoto -12 April 2009
16. Wide of Totekiko a small karesansui garden within Ryogen Inn Temple
Honen-Inn Temple, Kyoto -17 April 2009
17. Various of novice monk reconstructing one of two sand mounds at entrance to Honen-Inn Temple
Honen-Inn Temple, Kyoto – 15 April 2009
18. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Kajita Shinsho, Abbot of Honen-Inn Temple:
“When you enter Honen-Inn through the Sanmon Gate, there are two mounds of sand on either side of the path. They are known as Byakusadan.”
Honen-Inn Temple, Kyoto -17 April 2009
19. Various of monk raking patterns symbolising water onto sand mound
20. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Kajita Shinsho, Abbot of Honen-Inn Temple:
“We usually remake the sand mounds once every four or five days. If it rains heavily and they become spoiled there are times when we remake the mounds every two or three days. On the other hand, during the winter, when the mounds seldom get spoiled, there are times when we don’t remake the mounds for a week or ten days.”
Honen-Inn Temple, Kyoto -17 April 2009
21. Various of monk remaking sand mounds
Honen-Inn Temple, Kyoto -15 April 2009
22. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Kajita Shinsho, Abbot of Honen-Inn Temple:
“The patterns are drawn by monks who are undergoing training at Honen Inn Temple. In the past I used to do the drawings but I don’t do them anymore.”
24. Bridge in Pure Land garden
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