Silver Pavilion Ginkaku-ji was built in 1483 the shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa. His inspired by his grandfather Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, who once built a Kinkaku-ji - the pavilion, two floors of which are covered with sheets of gold leaf.

Unlike the Golden Pavilion, the idea Ginkaku-ji was never brought to completion - silver leaf, as expected, it is not sheathed - due to lack of funds or for other reasons, it is not known. And let the silver is not here, but visitors say that even during the day as if the walls of the pavilion emit light silvery glow.

Silver Pavilion, as well as gold, after the death of his master became a Buddhist temple. Today he is in the temple complex Sёkoku-ji.

Silver Pavilion is a temple of the goddess Kannon, although originally intended for relaxation in the privacy of the shogun. The building was part of his residence, known as the "Palace Higashiyama" or "Palace of the eastern mountains." In 1485 Yoshimasa he decided to become a Buddhist monk, and after his death, like his grandfather, turn bequeathed his estate to the monastery.

Among the monastic buildings building of the pavilion is the most beautiful. The first floor was called the Hall of the empty heart and was built in the spirit of the samurai houses of the era. The second floor of the Pavilion was called mercy and interiors resembled a Buddhist temple, its altar is a statue of the goddess.

A notable feature of Ginkaku-ji is also a sandy garden, which is considered a model of sand and garden art of the XVI century. It is a lake, which is lined with silvery sand and pebbles.

Architecture of the Silver Pavilion marked a new stage in the development of Japanese art. The impact of this style, which is called Shoin-zukuri, present and now. Thus, for the first time it was used sliding the outer and inner walls. When the outer walls removed, the house became part of the garden surrounding the pavilion. For the first time there appeared tokonoma - the aesthetic center of the house, which is located in the composition of the plant, the respective seasons, picturesque work, a shelf for books and supplies for the letter.