ginkaku-ji (銀閣寺) is a zen temple is kyoto, which happens to not be as popular as its related temple kinkaku-ji (金閣寺).  ginkaku-ji was established in 1482 by ashikaga yoshimasa (足利義政), the grandchild of ashikaga yoshimitsu (足利義満) who had kinkaku-ji built.  the nuance in the name of the two zen temples is that “gin” stands for silver while “kin” means gold.

ginkaku-ji was supposed to be covered with a silver foil, much like kinkaku-ji is covered by gold.  however there was a civil war raging in japan during this time period and funds were deemed better spent on other items.  thus the temple as we see it today has technically never been finished.  many japanese believe that ginkaku-ji stands in balance to the more flamboyant kinkaku-ji with its gold leaf coating.  i have even heard several japanese that because of its subdued or reserved nature, ginkaku-ji is more japanese in style than kinkaku-ji.

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kamigamo shrine (上賀茂神社), formally known as kamowakeikazuchi shrine (賀茂別雷神社), was built in 678 in northern kyoto.  during its heiday the shrine was frequented by the royal family, as the shrine was dedicated to the preservation and pacification of japan.  the two conical mounds of sand that you see above are platforms built for the gods to descend upon.

kamigamo shrine along with kamomioya shrine make up the much larger complex called kamo shrine (賀茂神社).  this is the upper shrine along the kamo river (鴨川), while the lower shrine is kamomioya shrine.  both shrines together serve to protect kyoto from evil forces that were believed to come down the kamo river from the devil’s gate (鬼門 – kimon).

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the park called tadasu-no-mori (糺の森) surrounds kamomioya shrine (賀茂御祖神社), also commonly called shimogamo shrine (下鴨神社), in northern kyoto.  kamomioya jinja is actually one half of the much larger complex called kamo shrine (賀茂神社).  this is the lower shrine along the kamo river (鴨川), while the upper shrine is kamigamo jinja (上賀茂神社).  both shrines together serve to protect kyoto from evil forces that were believed to come down the kamo river from the devil’s gate (鬼門 – kimon).

kamomioya shrine is one of japan’s oldest shinto shrines and it houses the second highest ranking god in japan.  additionally, held on may 15th of every year, the aoi matsuri (festival) at kamomioya shrine is the oldest of the three largest imperial festivals in kyoto.

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