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*''Established: [[1509]], [[Rokkaku Masayori]]''
*''Japanese'': 大仙院 ''(daisen-in)''
Daisen-in is a [[tatchu|sub-temple]] of [[Daitoku-ji]] in [[Kyoto]]. It was founded in [[1509]] by [[Rokkaku Masayori]], who named his son, [[Kogaku Soko|Kogaku Sôkô]], the first abbot upon the latter's retirement as abbot of the whole of Daitoku-ji.
The ''[[hojo|hôjô]]'' (abbot's residence) at Daisen-in, built in [[1513]], is the oldest in Japan, and has been named a [[National Treasure]]. The ''[[shoin]]'' (study) is also a fine example of ''[[irimoya]]'' architecture, and is considered an Important Cultural Property. The ''[[karesansui]]'' "dry landscape" rock gardens, also set in place around 1513, are particularly representative examples of [[Muromachi period]] rock gardens. The most famous of these gardens is also among the smallest of the famous [[Zen]] rock gardens. It extends along the east side, and part of the north side, of the ''hôjô'', and is quite narrow and enclosed by plastered walls. The garden evokes the idea of a river flowing alongside the building; two vertical rocks represent the mountains the river flows down from, while other rocks represent a bridge over the river, and fish swimming upstream.
A set of paintings in the ''kyakuden'' (guest hall) are likewise particularly significant. Painted by [[Kano Motonobu|Kanô Motonobu]] for the abbot's room in the ''kyakuden'' around 1513, they depicted six Zen patriarchs, and are considered particularly good examples of the formulation by Motonobu of a concrete Kanô style. Though originally produced as ''[[fusuma]]'' (sliding door/wall) paintings, the works have been remounted as hanging scrolls. A series of ''fusuma'' paintings by [[Soami|Sôami]] and depicting the [[Xiao and Xiang Rivers]] are also considered noteworthy.
The grounds at Daisen-in also include a tearoom where [[Sen no Rikyu|Sen no Rikyû]] and [[Toyotomi Hideyoshi]] enjoyed tea; an arrangement in that tearoom is described as an early prototype of the ''[[tokonoma]]''.
==References==
*Mason, Penelope. ''History of Japanese Art''. Second Edition. Pearson Prentice Hall, 2005. pp216-217, 229-231.
*Plaques onsite.
[[Category:Temples]]