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*''Japanese'': 神泉苑 ''(shinsen'en)''
Shinsen'en is an Imperial garden in [[Kyoto]] which was the site of numerous aristocratic gatherings during the [[Heian period]].
When [[Emperor Kammu]] established [[Heian-kyo|Heian-kyô]] (Kyoto) as the imperial capital in [[794]], a garden was established to the south of the newly constructed [[Kyoto Imperial Palace|Imperial Palace]]. Since pure water naturally springs up there, it was called Shinsen'en (神泉苑, lit. "Garden of Divine Springs").
The grounds are four <i>[[cho|chô]]</i> from north to south and two <i>chô</i> from east to west. (A <i>chô</i> is a traditional unit of measurement defined today as 109.09 meters, but it may have been a different size in the past.) In addition to the large pond and island in the middle of the garden, there are a number of structures, including a [[Shinto shrine]], a [[Buddhist temple]], a restaurant/inn, and halls ones called Kenrinkaku (乾臨閣 - Tower of Imperial Decisions), Tsuridono (Fishing Palace), and Takidono (Waterfall Palace), among others. A pleasure boat like those used during the Heian period sits on the pond.
The garden has long been a site where Emperors and nobles have come to appreciate the flowers, relax on a boat on the pond, compose poetry, practice archery, have sumô matches, perform business, and hold banquets. The garden was the site of a flower banquet organized in [[812]] by [[Emperor Saga]] which is said to mark the origin of the tradition of ''[[hanami]]''.
In the spring of [[824]], it is said that [[Kukai|Kûkai]] prayed to <i>Zennyô Ryûô</i> for rain, and a miracle occurred. Since then, prominent monks have competed by praying for rain here.
In [[863]], the garden saw its first <i>goryôe</i>, a ritual or festival held to appease angry spirits, and thus came to be used as a sacred space.
Today, the garden is associated with the major [[Shingon]] temple [[Toji|Tôji]]. Every year, from May 1st to 4th, a Shinsen'en Matsuri (Festival) is held, which includes performances of Shinsen'en [[kyogen|kyôgen]], based on Mibu kyôgen.
==References==
*Plaques on-site.
==External Links==
*[http://maps.google.com/maps?q=%E7%A5%9E%E6%B3%89%E8%8B%91&hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=35.012354,135.748411&spn=0.002381,0.002199&sll=35.01068,135.747773&sspn=0.002381,0.002199&t=h&hq=%E7%A5%9E%E6%B3%89%E8%8B%91&z=18 Shinsen'en on Google Maps]
[[Category:Heian Period]]
[[Category:Geographic Locations]]
Shinsen'en is an Imperial garden in [[Kyoto]] which was the site of numerous aristocratic gatherings during the [[Heian period]].
When [[Emperor Kammu]] established [[Heian-kyo|Heian-kyô]] (Kyoto) as the imperial capital in [[794]], a garden was established to the south of the newly constructed [[Kyoto Imperial Palace|Imperial Palace]]. Since pure water naturally springs up there, it was called Shinsen'en (神泉苑, lit. "Garden of Divine Springs").
The grounds are four <i>[[cho|chô]]</i> from north to south and two <i>chô</i> from east to west. (A <i>chô</i> is a traditional unit of measurement defined today as 109.09 meters, but it may have been a different size in the past.) In addition to the large pond and island in the middle of the garden, there are a number of structures, including a [[Shinto shrine]], a [[Buddhist temple]], a restaurant/inn, and halls ones called Kenrinkaku (乾臨閣 - Tower of Imperial Decisions), Tsuridono (Fishing Palace), and Takidono (Waterfall Palace), among others. A pleasure boat like those used during the Heian period sits on the pond.
The garden has long been a site where Emperors and nobles have come to appreciate the flowers, relax on a boat on the pond, compose poetry, practice archery, have sumô matches, perform business, and hold banquets. The garden was the site of a flower banquet organized in [[812]] by [[Emperor Saga]] which is said to mark the origin of the tradition of ''[[hanami]]''.
In the spring of [[824]], it is said that [[Kukai|Kûkai]] prayed to <i>Zennyô Ryûô</i> for rain, and a miracle occurred. Since then, prominent monks have competed by praying for rain here.
In [[863]], the garden saw its first <i>goryôe</i>, a ritual or festival held to appease angry spirits, and thus came to be used as a sacred space.
Today, the garden is associated with the major [[Shingon]] temple [[Toji|Tôji]]. Every year, from May 1st to 4th, a Shinsen'en Matsuri (Festival) is held, which includes performances of Shinsen'en [[kyogen|kyôgen]], based on Mibu kyôgen.
==References==
*Plaques on-site.
==External Links==
*[http://maps.google.com/maps?q=%E7%A5%9E%E6%B3%89%E8%8B%91&hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=35.012354,135.748411&spn=0.002381,0.002199&sll=35.01068,135.747773&sspn=0.002381,0.002199&t=h&hq=%E7%A5%9E%E6%B3%89%E8%8B%91&z=18 Shinsen'en on Google Maps]
[[Category:Heian Period]]
[[Category:Geographic Locations]]
