The Ginkakuji (“Temple of the Silver Pavilion”) was built by the Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa in 1482 as his retirement residence and after his death it was unfinished remodeled into a Zen temple according to his wishes. Contrary to its name it is not made of silver.
Formally it is called Higashiyama Jishōji and is the center of the Higashiyama culture, which is also connected to the Zen culture at this place. Of the original complex, only 2 buildings remain, which are considered national cultural treasures and are part of the UNESCO World Heritage historic Kyōto.
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