Taizoin Temple

Taizō-in is a Rinzai Zen Buddhist temple located in Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, and is a sub-temple of Myōshin-ji. It was founded during the Ōei period of the Muromachi era by the Zen master Muin Sōin. The temple was destroyed along with Myōshin-ji during the Ōnin War, but was restored in 1597 by the monk Kinen Zenji. The main hall features two gardens to the west and south, with the highlight being the dry landscape garden known as "Motōnobu’s Garden," believed to have been designed in the Muromachi period by Kanō Motonobu. Though modest in size, the garden skillfully represents flowing water circling Hōrai Island and passing toward a stone bridge through a dry waterfall arrangement. Beyond a hedge lies the strolling pond garden "Yokō-en," created in the Shōwa period, which offers beautiful scenery throughout the four seasons. Taizō-in is also famous for housing the Muromachi-period ink painting "Hyōnenzu (Catching a Catfish with a Gourd)" by Josetsu, regarded as his masterpiece and one of the earliest examples of Japanese landscape painting. The temple is located about a 7-minute walk from JR Hanazono Station, deep within the Myōshin-ji temple complex.