Daigo-ji is a famous temple founded in the Heian Period. This garden is adjacent to Sanpo-in, where the chief monk lives. Although the premises of Daigo-ji was devastated by the Onin-Bunmei War, it was reconstructed after Toyotomi Hideyoshi hosted “Daigo’s Cherry-blossom Viewing.” The garden was made by exceptional gardeners.
cultural property : historic sites and places of scenic beauty as natural monuments
type : places of special scenic beauty, special historical sites
22 Daigohigashiojicho, Fushimi-ku, Kyōto-shi, Kyōto-fu 601-1325
Tel：075-571-0002
Home page : www.daigoji.or.jp/garan/sanboin_detail.html
Daigo-ji is a famous temple that is said to have been founded by Rigen Daishi Shoho, who offered a Kan’on statue at Mt. Kasatori (the spring water from this mountain has been called “Daigo” water) in the Heian Period. The chief monk had resided in Sanpo-in, but the premise of Daigo-ji fell into ruin during the Onin-Bunmei War, which also destroyed Sanpo-in. The devastated Daigo-ji was reconstructed by Gien Jugo under the protection of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. It is told that, prior to 1598, when new Sanpo-in were to be made at the site of Kongorin-in, Toyotomi Hideyoshi himself roped off an area and ordered three gardening magistrates to rebuild the garden. Although Toyotomi Hideyoshi died in August 1598, the garden construction continued under the instruction of Gien, which lasted for 27 years until Gien also died.
The garden has a pond at the center, with three islands and nine bridges. There is a Tsukiyama (artificial hill) to the south and a waterfall to the east. Many ornamental stones are arranged along the pond shore. Fujito stone, a famous stone owned by past rulers, was also placed among them. The site has tall evergreen trees such as Japanese white pines (Pinus parviflora), chinquapins (Castanopsis sieboldii), and Japanese blue oaks (Quercus glauca), creating a magnanimous yet graceful atmosphere.