21/03/2025
Visiting Gardens ✈️🌿
龍安寺の石庭, Ryoanji no sekitei
📍Location: Kyoto 🇯🇵
✍🏻Autor: Soami
One of my dreams was to visit this garden, in the Ryoanji Temple and it did not disappoint me. It is one of the most important “karesansui” (枯山水, literally “dry landscape of mountain and water”) gardens in Japan.
The garden was created in the 15th century and spans about 250 m² (10x25 m). It is composed of 15 rocks of different sizes, arranged on a bed of carefully raked white gravel. The rocks are organized into five groups (of 5, 3, 3, 2, and 2 stones), so that from any angle only 14 can be seen at a time. It is said that only upon reaching enlightenment can one see the 15th rock.
It has no official meaning, which has led to many interpretations over time—from representing islands in the ocean to symbolizing the meditative mind where the stones represent scattered thoughts.
The truth is, from the moment I saw it, I felt a calm and harmony that I had never experienced with any other work of landscaping. I cannot express the balance it possessed; it was incredible. And I was fortunate enough to enjoy it without crowds and in silence, accompanied only by the sound of the wind and the birds. It was a beautiful moment that I will forever cherish.
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