Ginkaku-ji, officially named Jisho-ji , is a Zen temple in the Sakyo ward of Kyoto, Japan. It is one of the constructions that represent the Higashiyama Culture of Muromachi period.
Ashikaga Yoshimasa initiated plans for creating a retirement villa and gardens as early as 1460;and after his death, Yoshimasa would arrange for this property to become a Zen temple.The temple is today associated with the Shokoku-ji branch of Rinzai Zen.
The two-storied Kannon-den, is the main temple structure. Its construction began February 21, 1482 (Bummei 14 , 4th day of the 2nd month).The structure's design sought to emulate the golden Kinkaku-ji which had been commissioned by his grandfather Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. It is popularly known as Ginkaku, the "Silver Pavilion" because of the initial plans to cover its exterior in silver foil; but this familiar nickname dates back only as far as the Edo period (1600?1868).[4]
