Tenryū-Ji: Life and Spirit of a Kyōto Garden

This illustrated study of Tenryuji, ranked number one among the five great Zen temples of Kyoto and a major destination for tourism and worship, weaves together history, design, culture, and personal reflection to reveal the inner workings of a great spiritual institution. Looking at Tenryuji's present as a mirror to its past, and detailing the famous pond and rockwork composition by renowned designer Muso Soseki, Norris Brock Johnson presents the first full-length "biography" of a Zen temple garden. Norris Brock Johnson is a professor of anthropology at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill and has been teaching and writing about Japanese temple gardens for over twenty years. "This illustrated study of Tenryuji, ranked number one among the five great Zen temples of Kyoto and a major destination for tourism and worship, weaves together history, design, culture, and personal reflection to reveal the inner workings of a great spiritual institution. Looking at Tenryuji's present as a mirror to its past, and detailing the famous pond and rockwork composition by renowned designer Muso Soseki, Norris Brock Johnson presents the first full-length 'biography' of a Zen temple garden."--Publisher's description Mountains, water, and fragrant trees Death, dream, and the genesis of a temple Clouds of flowers preserve the way A pond of shadow and shimmering stones Footprints in the sky Settling flowers of ice Bridge to Buddha-nature Sitting in the garden Anchors along the journey The Dragon Gate. A major Japanese Zen temple, viewed through its monks, gardens, meditation, and art.