Monday, December 12, 2022

Gesshoji Temple Gardens

Japan Travel


Gesshoji Temple is located against the hillside to the west of Matsue castle, one of the dozen remaining castles in Japan.


It was originally a small Zen temple called Toun-ji, but in 1664 the first of the Matsudaira lords of the castle, Naomasa, the grandson of Tokugawa Ieyasu, changed it to a Jodo temple and installed the mortuary tablet of his mother here.


Following Naomasa's death, his son built his father's tomb here and since then it has been their family temple.


I recently posted on some of the tombs and the "giant" tortoise made famous by Lafcadio Hearn.


The temple grounds are known for their hydrangeas, but there is also a formal garden.


This is in Izumo-style, a feature of which is rectangular stones intermixed with rounded stones.


The garden was enjoyed by Matsudaira Fumai, a renowned tea-master.


Adjacent to the main garden is a smaller garden viewable from the tea room.


Later I will show some of the statues at the temple and some of the artifacts in the treasure house.


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