Ryōanji

(Peaceful Dragon Temple)

Title: Ryoan-ji, the temple of the peaceful dragon
Artist: unknown, speculation between Soami and
two Kyoto garden workers
Date: 1480 CE
Period / Culture: Muromachi Period
Original Location: Kyoto, Japan
Scale/ Size: 98 x 32 ft
Patron: Hosokawa Emperors
Materials: White sand stones, rocks, moss,
concrete walls
Techniques: strategic placement of rocks
Subject matter/ Content:
❖ a zen dry garden
➢ Renowned for simplicity and serenity
❖ 3 clusters of rocks, 15 rocks total, on white gravel bed
❖ believed to be originally named "Tiger Cubs Crossing
the Sea".
❖ represent Chinese character for “heart” or “mind”
❖ rocks subconsciously evoke the outline of a branching
tree
Symbolism
❖ embodies teaching of zen philosophy

❖ considered ideal setting for

contemplation

❖ rocks symbolize islands floating on an

ocean

❖ White gravel symbolize water and flowing

elements
Contextual Issues
❖ rise of zen buddhism in Medieval Japan

❖ Hosokawa Katsumoto’s estate

❖ Ryoan-ji was founded when he left 120

acres of the estate to become a temple

❖ reconstruction took place By Masumoto

 Formal Qualities
❖ Japanese aesthetics: minimalism and abstraction

❖ Wall enclosure

❖ 15 rocks on white gravel

❖ Sense of rhythm
➢ Concentric circles and horizontal movement

❖ reflection of the natural world

➢ The sea and islands
Function
❖ mausoleum to the late hosokawa emperors
❖ Zen center for the cultural activities of the
elite
❖ Main purpose: obtaining enlightenment
➢ invokes deep meditation
Intended Audience
✢ Late Hosokawa Emperors

✢ Zen Buddhist monks

Meaning
❏ simplicity = arouses high level of peace, serenity,
& meditation
❏ Inspired by aspects of Japanese and Chinese
culture
❏ Combine Zen Buddhism and shintoism in Japan
❏ Creates a work of art that delivers the
message of tranquility, which reflects
the approach toward enlightenment
Related Themes and Works
➢ Stonehenge
○ Concentric, sandstones, connection to
the natural world
Themes:
natural
world,
sacred
space
https://youtu.be/WfZe2NLKEns