Karesansui - 6 Daitokuji's Ryogintei 大徳寺

Pausing on the beach
Maidens lower their parasols
For the dazzling wave

浜で待つ
乙女は傘を下げる
波のために

I was surprised to discover that this is still referred to as a Karesansui. In my mind Karesansui were always creations of stone. Little did I know that a little moss would do the trick. This garden, Ryogintei, was first created during the Muromachi period around some time before 1525. Some posts put its creation in the 1200s. However, the creator, Soami was not alive until the late 1400s dying in 1525. The more likely creation date is 1502 or 1504. Moss gardens were the first adaptations from their Chinese predecessors to find a home in Japan.

Soami is also famous for his `Landscape in Four Seasons` painted on six screens. One can see the significant Chinese influence in his work. Visit this site for some information on him and his work.

In the background is a building you may see again, named Kaisodo. Besides its name I haven't been able to find much more information on it.

On a utilitarian note. The gravel moat between the garden and deck is used to collect water run off from the roof. Therefore cutting back on any erosion.

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No throwing pebbles in my pool of zen.