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Kyoto Sun 19 Oct_9

This is the other side of the garden. This simple yet remarkable garden measures only thirty meters from east to west and ten meters from south to norht. The rectangular Zen garden is completely different from the gorgeous gardens of court nobles constructed in the Middle Ages. No trees are to be seen; only 15 rocks and white gravel are used in the garden. It is up to each visitor to find out for himself what this unique garden signifies. The longer you gaze at it, the more varied your imagination becomes. This rock garden surrounded by low earthen walls may be thought as a quintessence of Zen art. The walls are made of clay boiled in oil. As time went by, the peculiar design was made of itself by the oil that seeped out. This garden of worldwide fame is said to have been laid out by Soami, a painter and gardener who died in 1525.