Kinkaku-ji is one of the most recognizable Japanese structures. It was originally built in 1397 to serve as a retirement residence for one of the shoguns, but was later converted to a place to store relics of Buddha when the surrounding grounds became a Zen temple. In 1950, the pavilion was set on fire by a monk’s suicide attempt. He survived but the temple was badly burned and required extensive rebuilding and repair.
The glinting gold appearance of the pavilion is created by heavy layers of pure gold leaf and Japanese lacquer on the top two stories of the structure. It sits at the edge of a large pond that reflects the sparkling building and sky as a mirror image. We were able to walk along the gardens surrounding the pond to get different views of the pavilion. It wasn’t as large as Matt and I had imagined it to be, but it was an impressive structure nonetheless.
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