Ginkaku-ji: Kyoto's Silver Pavilion

The flat topped cone is also designed for moonlit nights. It is probably taller now than it was in the 17th century, it's resemblance to a volcano may not always have been so pronounced, but esthetes have always admired the way that it reflects moonlight into the Silver pavilion, this seems to have always been it's primary purpose. This cone of sand is not unique among Japanese gardens. Heaps of sand (sunamori) are sometimes erected on the graveled areas of both Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines, their meaning is not fully understood but they are believed to illuminate the heart of the visitor, perhaps by reflecting divine light.

The white gravel of these features contrast strongly with the dark conifers covering the steep wooded slopes of Mount Higashima, which enclose the east and south sides of the garden. The slopes next to the pond contain a waterfall which was inspired by a similar waterfall at Saiho-ji. It is believed that this waterfall and the stone arrangements around it are still basically unchanged from Yoshimasa's time, survivors from his garden.

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