A Hallway

Postcard 8. The Entrance hall of the Daisen-In Temple. Very simple, but still with roof decortations.

Mt Horai - A Garden Depiction

Postcard 7. Mt Horai with the waterfall. Mt Horai is apparently a volcanic mountain in Japan that  we didn't get to see. It is interesting to note that the gardeners of the Daisen-In Temple like to depict other places in their gardens

The Treasure Boat

Postcard 5. The treasure boat and turtle covered with snow. At least that's what it says on the back of the postcard. Imagination is a wonderful thing! Someone had been busy with the rake again.

Sand, Waves and Mounds

Postcard 4. Sand, waves and mounds. This garden is raked daily into different patterns. A definite labour of love

Red Autumn Leaves

Postcard 3. Glorious colour in these red autumn leaves of the Japanese maple tree. The leaves were just beginning to turn when we were there. A guide had told us we would see colour like this in about a month from when were there.

The River Section

Another of the postcards I purchased from the Daisen-In Temple. This is what is known as "The River Section", with beautiful bonsai's, raked gravel, moss, and strategically placed rocks. Not to mention those gorgeous scalloped roof edges again

The Middle Sea

Inside the Daisen -In Temple were areas of open space with more rock gardens and beautifully raked gravel. We were not allowed to take photographs inside, so I purchased some postcards. This is one of those postcards.

A Gnarly Tree

I just loved the shape of this pine tree, a little twisted with lots of gnarly bits. This tree was also in the grounds of the Daisen-In Temple. It looks like some of the branches may have been pruned off, and then to recover, the tree has tried to heal itself so that some parts have become thicker than others. As it has healed, a new branch has taken off in a totally different direction. Reminds me a bit of my rose bushes. But I think there are some great lines here, that would be great as a basis of some stitching.

The Colours of Autumn

This tree was in the grounds of the Daisen-in Temple. We were in Kyoto in the beginnings of Autumn, and in this pic we can see the colours beginning to change. I would have loved to see this tree in a few weeks time. I think it would have been a glorious red.

More Tree Supports

How interesting is this? The use of bamboo poles to support the branches of this pine tree. This time they are horizontal, aiding in keeping the branches straight and not drooping on the ground. If we look closely we can see bamboo supports on every branch.

An Old Tree

This old tree was in the grounds of the Daisen-in Temple. It is hundreds of years old. Note once again the bamboo supports, both horizontal as well as vertical. I loved the texture in the trunk of this ancient tree, it certainly could be inspirational in my stitching somewhere.

Tree Supports

I have mentioned before about the use of bamboo. Here it is again being used to support this beautiful Japanese maple tree that is on a decided lean. There is also the bamboo fence in the bottom right corner, held together with ties rather than nails.

What I did find interesting was the use of ridge capping on the other fence. It is like it has it's own little roof with tiles and capping. Very surprising was the fact that there were no patterns on the edges of the tiles

Buddha

The Daisen-In Temple is a Zen Buddhist temple. This Buddha was in the garden, just at the end of his own short pathway. We were on our way back to our waiting taxi, so there was no time to stop and reflect. I would have liked to get closer to get a better pic.

A Garden Structure

This little structure was on the edge of the pathway in the Daisen-in Temple. I am not sure what it was used for, but I did so enjoy seeing those patterns and decorations used under the eves.

A Bell

This bell was in the grounds of the Daisen-in Temple. As the garden is 500 years old, I am wondering how old this bell is. We didn't get to hear it ring, but I am sure it would be loud and beautiful. If we look closely we can see the patterns and writing on the bell, and the dragon head at the top. Also visible if you look even more closely, are the patterns on those roof end tiles, and again under the eaves.

A Dragon's Head

A closer look at the Dragon's Head that decorates the covering on the walkway. I am assuming he is a water dragon that is there to help protect the walkway from fire. It is, after all, built entirely from timber.

A Covered Walkway

Walking through the grounds of the Daisen-in Temple is done in style. There are covered walkways to protect you from the weather. Even these walkways were decorated with scrolls, dragon heads and lace carvings.

A Garden View

Just one view of the grounds of the Daisen-in Temple. Note the very clean moss at ground level. No doubt the moss sweepers had been around.

A Temple Archway

Just an archway inside the Daisen-in Temple. The pic is not that great as I had trouble with the light. But I do love the patterns everywhere. Patterns in the decoration at the top, line-work in the first curve, carved timber in another, The change of line from being smooth to pointed from the top to the bottom. Then there is the beautiful patterned carving at the base. If we look closely, carved timber lace work can be seen at the top of the next doorway, shown in this pic towards the bottom. So much inspiration for my stitching and lace work.

Daisen-in Temple

The Daisen-in Temple is another Buddhist Temple in Kyoto, famous for it's rock garden. The rock garden is nearly 500 years old! Do rock gardens require maintenance? I am sure they do, these rocks are carefully raked into patterns every day, especially when some animal comes to visit and leaves footprints all through the gravel.