Komyo-in Temple

This temple was founded by Kinzan Minsho in 1391 as a sub-temple of Tofuku-ji Temple. The beauty of its moss in the cherry blossom and autumn leaves seasons has led to it also being known as the “Rainbow Moss Temple” (Niji no Kokedera).
The famous dry garden arranged to resemble ponds and nature that spreads out in front of the Hojo, or priests’ residence , and was laid out by Shigemori Mirei in 1939. Numerous rocks are arranged around the gravel “pond” laid out in a Heian-style bays-and-inlets pattern . The scene comprises rocks placed in lines extending like the light of the Buddha from three Buddha stone triads on the white gravel, which represents the ocean.
In the background, azaleas and rhododendrons are clipped into cloud shapes, and above them sits the Ragetsu-an teahouse, designed by Mirei to symbolize the moon above the clouds. Viewed from the Hashin-no-Niwa garden, the Ragetsu-an appears as the moon rising in the eastern sky.
The principal image enshrined in the Main Hall is a gilded statue of Shakyamuni Buddha.
Kyoto City