PLATE VIII. 



KINKAKUJI GARDEN, KIOTO. 



The garden of the Kinkakuji, or Golden Pavilion, is one of the most his- 

 torically interesting spots of the ancient capital, Kioto. It was laid out in the four- 

 teenth century for the Regent Ashikaga Yoshimitsu as a landscape to surround a 

 palace built for his seclusion. From this place of retirement, in priestly garb, and 

 ostensibly indifferent to the cares of State, he secretly directed the government of his 

 successor. A three-storied pavilion richly covered with gold formed the principal 

 feature of the palace ; this still remains, bearing traces of its former magnificence. The 

 lake which surrounds this garden pavilion, now thickly covered with the water-weeds 

 of centuries, was called the " Mirror Ocean," and contained three pine-clad islets shaped 

 to resemble in their outline the principal islands of the Japanese Empire. Much artifice 

 is said to have been bestowed upon the whole composition, in the grouping of rare 

 trees and rocks, and in adapting the design to the surrounding prospects. Perhaps 

 the best proof of its original artistic perfection is to be found in the wildly natural 

 aspect which it now bears, time having assisted art in that self-concealment which it 

 is the latter's highest purpose to attain. As now to be seen, the spot is no longer 

 recognisable as an artificial garden, but resembles rather some romantic watered glen 

 in which man has " built himself a lordly pleasure house." 



