Joeiji Temple Sesshu-tei Garden

Sesshu was one of ink-wash painters and a zen monk in the Muromachi Period. Sponsored by the Ouchi Family, he moved to Suwa, then Ming (China) and learned how to paint with ink. He became a renowned master, and six of his paintings are designated as national treasures, such as Amano-hashidate and Shiki Sansui. He is a giant in the history of Japanese painting.

Joei Temple’s Sesshu-tei is a garden which Ouchi Masahiro commissioned Sesshu to build as a retreat. Located at north of Joei Temple’s main hall, surrounded by mountains on three sides, the large ground is turned into a strolling garden around the pond. The spacious rock garden is likened to Mt. Fuji and many Chinese mountains by water. Beyond the garden, there are Shinji Pond, a rock garden depicting a waterfall, and graceful boulders. As the epitome of Japanese garden in zen influence, it is designated as a national historical site and scenery.

Looking out from the main hall, it looks like a dignified piece of painting. Take a quiet moment and contemplate cherry blossoms, fresh green, fall colors and snowy scape.