b) Description and inventory

O. Ryoan-ji Ryoan-ji was built on the site of the former villa of a court aristocrat as a Zen sect temple. In 1488, the Hojo (abbot's quarters) was restored and several other buildings were built. However, Ryoan-ji was destroyed by fire in 1797. The present building was built originally as the Hojo of Seigen-in in 1606 and was relocated to Ryoan-ji in 1797. The Hojo Teien (garden) (Oa), designated as a Special Place of Scenic Beauty, is a world-famous stone garden. Located south of the Hojo, it is enclosed by earthen walls on the east, south, and west sides. This rectangular garden, 250m2 in area, with fifteen stones arranged in five groups on white gravel is thought to date back to the mid-15th century. It is a quintessential example of the karesansui (dry landscape) garden style which expresses nature in a reduced and abstract way within a tiny space. Due to heavy rainfall in 1976, part of the earthen wall was destroyed, and it was repaired in 1977. At the time of this repair work, excavations and investigations were undertaken and the roofing material was changed from tiles to wood shingles, to restore the wall to its original condition. At Ryoan-ji, in addition to the Hojo Teien, designated as a Special Place of Scenic Beauty, the Ryoan-ji Teien, which centers on the Kyoyo-chi (pond) and which retains the remains of the former villa, is designated as a Place of Scenic Beauty. The Hondo (main hall) is designated as an Important Cultural Property.

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