Symbolism and Metaphor in the Aesthetics of the Temple Garden of Kobori Enshu

Abstract

An artist, tea master, gardener, calligrapher and poet Kobori Enshu left a great creative legacy. During his life, he had worked on the construction of numerous castles, buildings, gardens. Based on the example of the most representative architectural designs and gardens which reflect the sign of the master’s bright individuality, we can judge the role of art in the creation of the atmosphere of the Zen temple and Zen outlook. Kohoan was the last residence of Kobori Enshu. At the age of 64 he built this garden on the Westside of Daitokuji, where he learned Zen-Buddhism when he was young and spent his last two years here before he passed away in 1647. Throughout his life, Enshu built castles, palaces, tearooms and gardens for the shogun or the Emperor, however Kohoan was at last in a place he created for himself and to his own taste. He must have tried to create what he considered to be the ideal space – spiritualized by beauty, saturated by symbols, deep meaning, with a Zen undertone. Every detail in this space speaks of the master’s artistic taste, the way of thinking of the person who perceives the religious and philosophic ideas without separation from its artistic expression. Behind each garden of Kobori Enshu is a well-developed concept and theme. The true value of his gardens can only be assessed when they are viewed as dramatic spaces that have been skillfully integrated into architectural settings. Although Kobori Enshu is one of the most significant figures in the history of Japanese culture, there is no scientific research devoted to the creative works of this master. This certain fact identifies the urgency and practical value of the article.