金閣寺
Kinkakuji Temple (3) 用語集  



庭園

次は、いよいよ庭園ね。金閣の前にある池は鏡湖池(きょうこち)って言ってさ、その池を中心に、葦原島(あしわらじま)とか大小の島々や、当時の諸大名が競って献納した石が配置されてるのよ。今も昔も出世しようとしたら大変ね。寄付した石には畠山石とか赤松石、細川石てなぐあいに自分の名前がつけられてるんだって。でね、この庭園、西側の衣笠山を借景(風景を借りることよ)にした室町時代の代表的な池泉回遊式庭園(ちせんかいゆうしきていえん)として有名で、国の特別史跡および特別名勝に指定されてるわよ。

それから「方丈」って呼ばれる建物があってさ、これは、お坊さんの住んでる住居のことを言うんだけど、その北側にある「京都三松」のひとつって言われる「陸舟(りくしゅう)の松」もチェックしといたほうがいいわね。なんでも舟の形をしていることからこう呼ばれるらしいわ。しかも、この松は、義満の「お手植え」の松らしいわよ。で、金閣の後ろを進むと、義満がお茶の水に使ったと伝えられる「銀河泉(ぎんがせん)」、手を清めたという「巌下水(がんかすい)」とかがあるわよ。その次には「龍門の滝(りゅうもんのたき)」ってのがあって、鯉が滝を登ると龍になるっていう中国の故事「登龍門(とうりゅうもん)」にちなんで「鯉魚石(りぎょせき)」っていうのが置かれてるのよ。ふ~ん、鯉って滝に登ると龍になるんだって。カラスが登ると鳳凰にでもなれるのかしらん。

その他にさ、昔からある「安民沢(あんみんたく)」っていう池や、中の島には「白蛇の塚」があるそうよ。白いヘビがいるのかしら?なんか、怖いわね。

Garden

The circular garden with the pond in the center represents a typical example of the Walk-Around-Pond design (pond-centered garden) in the Muromachi Period, and is listed as one of special national historical spots. The pond in front of the Golden Pavillion is called "Kyoko-chi" (Mirror Pond). Around the pond are located multiple miniature islands in various sizes including "Ashiwara-jima," as well as decorative rocks offered by various lords of the time who seeked favor from the shogun. The rocks are called after the names of the lords who offered them. The magnificient scenery of the garden with Kinugasa Mountain in the west as the background is esteemed as one of the most beautiful sceneries in Japan.

There are several more points to see in the garden. The "Pine Tree in Boat Shape" located at the north of the Hojo House is an example. The tree is considered one of the "Three Beautiful Pine Trees in Kyoto", and is said to have been planted by Yoshimitsu himself. Behind the Golden Pavillion, there is "Ginga-sen" (Silver River Fountain) whose water was used to make tea for the shogun. Also there is "Ganka-sui" (Under-Rock Water), used by the same shogun to wash his hands. At the "Dragon Gate Fountain," the stone named "Carp Stone" is placed, based on an old Chinese story entitled "Gate to Dragons," which describes a carp swimming its way up against a waterfall to transform into a dragon.

Far behind the Golden Pavillion there is an old pond named "An-min-taku" (Peaceful People Pond). On the island in the pond is located a small pagoda, "Hakuja-no-tsuka" (Mound in Memory of the White Snake).