[JAVA ENHANCEMENT] Kinkaku-ji (temple of the Golden Pavilion) is the popular name of Rokuon-ji. In the 1220s it was the villa of Kintsune Saionji. Yoshimitsu was the 3rd Shogun of Ashikaga, he abdicated in 1394. Three years later, he began to build Kitayamaden and made Kinkaku to be a beautiful and peaceful place. He indulged in his peaceful life in this serene setting. After Yoshimitsu's death, Kinkaku was made into a Zen temple in accordance with his will. Kinkaku is the only remaining building from that time. The garden remains as it was originally and can be enjoyed as it was hundreds of years ago.

Kinkaku-ji is three stories tall, each made in a different style. The 1st floor(Ground floor) is called Hosui-in and used as a meeting room. The building style of this floor is Shinden-zukuri, the resident palace style. The 2nd floor is called Cho-on-do where the statue of Kannon is placed. This is in the Shoin-zukuri style. The 3rd floor is called Kukkyo-cho where three statues of Amida sit. This is in the Zen temple style.

The 2nd and 3rd floors are covered with gold-leaf. Most recently redone in 1987 with $5 million worth of gold. Kinkakuji survived for centuries through war and the elements, but was burnt to the ground in 1950 at the hands of a deranged monk but faithfully rebuilt in 1955. This story is retold in a great book "Temple of the Golden Pavillion" by Yukio Mishima.

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