Heian shrine was established to celebrate the 1,100th anniversary of the move to the Heian capital. The garden called Shin'en was built there between 1894 and 1895 in conjunction with the establishment of the shrine, and was later expanded and renovated on various occasions. Ogawa Jihei, a famous gardener in Kyoto, designed and supervised its construction. It is composed of western and central sectors which are original, and an eastern sector which is an addition. The water of the pond is drawn from the Biwako conduit. Ogawa Jihei's original designs can be seen in the water-crossing stones called Garyūkyō in the central sector, and in the eastern sector's use of distance perspective. It is designated a national scenic spot, and is located in Sakyō ward, Kyoto.
Japanese Garden Dictionary: A Glossary for Japanese Gardens and Their History
(C) 2010 by Ono Kenkichi and Walter Edwards. All rights reserved.
