Shinsen-en, located on the south side of Nijo Castlewas during the construction of Heiankyo,A famous garden created using the natural forest and pond that used to spread to the southeast of the Ouchiura.The scale of the project was The scale of the project wasApproximately 10 times the size of the current Shinsen-enI have heard that it was the first time in Japan for the emperor to visit the city. At that time, events and entertainment such as the emperor's summer festivals and boat rides were held actively,Place where the first Hanami party was held in JapanIt is conveyed that it was also.

Shinsenen

There have long been whispers of a certain rumor in Shinsen-en.There is a dragon hole.said, "I'm not sure what the hole is. The hole isThe chi of the earth overflows through the other world, and the water in the pond never runs dry, even in the sunshine.The The city people look at this pond,Dwelling Place of the Dragon GodI thought it was a good idea.

And there remains a legend to support this. During the reign of Emperor Saga (reigned 809-823), Kyoto suffered from a severe drought. The monks decided to make an appeal for rain, and Kukai (Kobo Daishi) of Toji Temple and Shubin (Shubin) of Nishiji Temple were chosen as the best candidates to do so. The monks dueled for rain through the power of the Dharma.

Moritoshi prayed first, but the rain did not fall enough to moisten the earth. Next, Kukai prayed. However, the monk Moritoshi interfered by using his incantations to trap the dragon gods in a water jar. Kukai saw that only the Zenjo Ryuoh from North Jersey (northern India) was exempted from Moritoshi's spell, and when he asked for help, the water jar broke, and the Zenjo Ryuoh rose into the sky as a golden dragon, instantly bringing rain and saving the city. Since then, Shinsen-en has beenMonks of Toji TempleThe center of rain-making practices as the dojo ofThe first time this happened was in 1983, when the company was founded.

By the samurai period, the sacred site had ceased to serve as a forbidden garden for the emperor and a place for the practice of the Dharma and fell into disrepair. The water in the pond eventually dried up, and the people of KyotoThe dragon god has flown away from the dragon hole in the pond."We gossiped with each other.

Currently, the size of Shinsen-en has been greatly reducedThe vermilion Hosei Bridge grows on the green trees, and a pond fringed with flowers is surrounded by carp, turtles, ducks and ducklings swimming in the edge of the pond.It is comfortable and makes you forget the hustle and bustle of the city.

Azaleas in the garden

Ducks in the park

This Hosei Bridge is,If you cross while making only one wish and pay homage to the Zenjo Ryuoh, your wish will come true.It is also said that

Wishes come true! Hosei Bridge

by the way,Will the dragon god, who we hear has flown away, return to Shinsen-en again?It seems that the Zenjo Ryuoh was not actually a dragon, but a golden snake. When I looked into the pond, I saw a golden carp swimming in it, not a golden snake. Today, though, there is no longer any need to pray for rain,Perhaps secretly the dragon god has returned to this pond and is watching over the city of Kyoto to make sure it does not go into drought.

Dragon Head and Pond

Golden carp in the pond in the garden

(postscript)

in the gardenMay 2-4, Shinsen-en FestivalThe festival will be held at the Zenjo Ryuoh Shrine. Three sword spears stand and a portable shrine is enshrined at the Zenjo Ryuo-o Shrine. Legend has it that Minamoto no Yoshitsune met Shizuka Gozen in this garden, and the dance of Shizuka Gozen is dedicated at the festival.It is possible to recall the glamorous atmosphere of the time when Heiankyo was built.

The only shrine in Japan dedicated to the god of blessings, "Toshitokujin," is enshrined in the garden.