architecture
Kinkakuji — Golden Pavilion
Two gilded upper floors shine above a dark timber storey at the edge of a garden pond.
The story behind the place
The Golden Pavilion stands in the grounds of Rokuon-ji, popularly called Kinkakuji, in Kyoto. Its three storeys draw on different architectural traditions. The first reflects Heian palatial design, the second the style of warrior residences, and the third Chinese Zen temples. Gold leaf covers the lacquered second and third storeys, while thin cypress shingles cover the roofs. A phoenix finial crowns the building.
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Read more from the sources
- Kinkaku-ji guide — Golden PavilionShokoku-ji Group / Rokuon-ji
- Kinkakuji — Golden Pavilion — named component reference© OpenStreetMap contributors
