RYOGEN-IN


Ryogen-in, one of the sub-temples of Daitoku-ji, was founded in 1502 by the priest Soboku Tokei. The temple features five dry gardens, the most important one, situated to the north of the Main Hall is called Ryugin-tei. It is covered with moss and features a group of stones that represents Mount Shumisen, center of the Universe according to Hindu cosmology. Ryugin-tei is the oldest garden of the Daitoku-ji compound. In front of the Main Hall is a recent dry garden called Isshidan, with three groups of stones, Mount Horai, Turtle island and Crane island on a bed of raked gravel. Totekiko courtyard dry garden located between the Main Hall and the domestic quarters is supposed to be the smallest dry garden in Japan.