Ryogen-in is one of the oldest sub-temples of the Daitoku-ji
(大徳寺) temple complex. Built in 1502 by priest Tokei, the oldest
statue of the temple dates back to 1250! The Hojo meditation
hall is said to be the oldest one in Japan (but then again, such
is also the claim for the Hojo of Ryogin-an 龍吟庵). The original
gardens where designed by Saomi, a famous gardener of the
Muromachi period (13th century). Closest to the entrance on the
left is the study room with the "Kodatei" garden (滹沱庭) which
represents a river flowing in China near which the temple
founder was living when he was in China. In this garden are two
stone called "A" and "Un", which means inhale and exhale, and by
extension also refer to many opposites as is common in Zen
philosophy (good/evil, heaven/earth,...) This garden is thus
said to show the "truth of the universe". If you're on a date
note the heart-shaped stone near the well :-) This garden also
features an old well. Also, the study has an interesting
artefact: the oldest gun in Japan is o