SUPERB LAYOUT AND ATTAINMENT OF EFFECT

At first glance the rock garden appears perfectly level; however, it slightly inclines toward the southeast corner (the far left corner, when looking from the abbot’s hall [Hōjo]). This enables the water drainage.

At the same time, the western wall (the right wall when looking from the Hōjo) is slanted from the north end (closer to the Hōjo) to the south (the far right corner).

Through sophisticated calculation, the height of the wall is adjusted and the garden’s perspective is manipulated, creating an elegant optical illusion that enhances the impression of depth.

page top