Since there is no water in the Japanese Zen gardens (Karesansui), the lakes, rivers or seas are symbolized through the use of sand and gravel, raked in various patterns.

In today’s photo, taken at the Zuiho-in Temple in Kyoto, you can admire one of the most beautiful (and complex) such patterns, which besides gravel and sand also uses larger rocks and moss. Called karenagare ("dry stream"), it suggests a running water traversed by bridges or stepping stones, with shores covered by vegetation.
A view I just can’t get enough of…

Zuiho-in Temple, Kyoto

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Yesterday’s Japan Photo: Japanese castle, unusual pentagonal Tenshu