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The Silver Pavilion

From Wikipedia: Ginkaku-ji (銀閣寺), the "Temple of the Silver Pavilion," 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.

The two-storied Kannon-den (観音殿, Kannon hall), is the main temple structure. Its construction began February 21, 1482. The structure's design sought to emulate the golden Kinkaku-ji. 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).

During the Ōnin War, construction was halted. Despite the intention to cover the structure with a distinctive silver-foil overlay, this work was delayed for so long that the plans were never realized. The "unfinished" appearance illustrates one of the aspects of "wabi-sabi" quality.

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Uploaded on April 18, 2012
Taken on November 17, 2011