Visited 20.11.2017 (Mon)
Origin. After visiting Bicchu Matauyama Castle, I requested to be dropped off at Raikyuji on the return journey back to Bicchu Takahashi Station 備中高梁駅. The origin of Raikyuji traces all the way back to the 14th century. Though the exact date when Raikyuji was built is not particularly clear, it was known to belong to Eigenji, one of 14 autonomous branches of the Rinzai school of Japanese Zen Buddhism. It was rebuilt in 1339 by Ashikaga Takauji 足利尊氏, the first shogun of the Ashikaga shogunate (1336–1573) and the temple was named Ankokuji 安国寺. In 1504, Ueno Yorihisa (Raikyu), the lord of Bicchu Matsuyama Castle, renewed the exterior of the temple. After his death, the temple was renamed Ankoku Raikyuji in honour of him.
Zen. When I first saw the photos depicting the garden in Raikyuji online, I knew I have to pay this place a visit. Even though the garden only occupies a small section of the entire compound, it is a true gem of the temple. For me, I spent most of my stay here sitting at the edge of the porch, admiring this immaculate landscape while sorting out my thoughts and reviving the inner balance in me. In fact, the therapeutic effect derived from viewing at such harmonised scenery has always been recognised by people of the past. Such landscape of the garden is known as "Horai" style which means spiritual peacefulness and harmony is derived when viewing it. This elegantly composed rock garden comprised of two low hills of stones protruding out from the beautifully raked sand covered ground which represent the water ripples. The well pruned bushes of azalea on the left side represents the undulating waves in the sea. The time of my visit was also just right as the garden was already decorated by some autumn foliage, a scene that is unique to this season. All in all, Raikyuji is definitely an attractive place worthy of a visit in Takahashi city.
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Raikuji 頼久寺
〒716-0016 岡山県高梁市頼久寺町18
Operating hours: 0900 - 1700 hrs
Entrance fee = 300 yen
http://raikyuji.com/
How to get there?
(1) By foot. About 15 minutes walk from Bicchu Takahashi JR Station 備中高梁駅.
Origin. After visiting Bicchu Matauyama Castle, I requested to be dropped off at Raikyuji on the return journey back to Bicchu Takahashi Station 備中高梁駅. The origin of Raikyuji traces all the way back to the 14th century. Though the exact date when Raikyuji was built is not particularly clear, it was known to belong to Eigenji, one of 14 autonomous branches of the Rinzai school of Japanese Zen Buddhism. It was rebuilt in 1339 by Ashikaga Takauji 足利尊氏, the first shogun of the Ashikaga shogunate (1336–1573) and the temple was named Ankokuji 安国寺. In 1504, Ueno Yorihisa (Raikyu), the lord of Bicchu Matsuyama Castle, renewed the exterior of the temple. After his death, the temple was renamed Ankoku Raikyuji in honour of him.
Zen. When I first saw the photos depicting the garden in Raikyuji online, I knew I have to pay this place a visit. Even though the garden only occupies a small section of the entire compound, it is a true gem of the temple. For me, I spent most of my stay here sitting at the edge of the porch, admiring this immaculate landscape while sorting out my thoughts and reviving the inner balance in me. In fact, the therapeutic effect derived from viewing at such harmonised scenery has always been recognised by people of the past. Such landscape of the garden is known as "Horai" style which means spiritual peacefulness and harmony is derived when viewing it. This elegantly composed rock garden comprised of two low hills of stones protruding out from the beautifully raked sand covered ground which represent the water ripples. The well pruned bushes of azalea on the left side represents the undulating waves in the sea. The time of my visit was also just right as the garden was already decorated by some autumn foliage, a scene that is unique to this season. All in all, Raikyuji is definitely an attractive place worthy of a visit in Takahashi city.
======
Raikuji 頼久寺
〒716-0016 岡山県高梁市頼久寺町18
Operating hours: 0900 - 1700 hrs
Entrance fee = 300 yen
http://raikyuji.com/
How to get there?
(1) By foot. About 15 minutes walk from Bicchu Takahashi JR Station 備中高梁駅.
