Ginkakuji

Jishō-ji 慈照寺
The kannonden at Jishō-ji, commonly known as the Silver Pavilion (Ginkaku)
Basic information
Location	2 Ginkakuji-chō, Sakyō-ku, Kyōto, Kyoto Prefecture
Affiliation	Zen, Rinzai sect, Shōkoku-ji school
Deity	Shaka Nyorai (Śākyamuni)
Country	Japan
Website	http://www.shokoku-ji.jp/g_about.html#
Architectural description
Founder	Ashikaga Yoshimasa
Completed	1490

Ginkaku-ji (銀閣寺^?, lit. "Temple of the Silver Pavilion"), officially named Jishō-ji (慈照寺^?, lit. "Temple of Shining Mercy"), is a Zen temple in the Sakyo ward of Kyoto, Japan. It is one of the constructions that represents the Higashiyama Culture of the 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 (観音殿^?, Kannon hall), 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).