One Garden, Designated by the State in 1987
Gyokusenji Temple Garden (玉川寺庭園, Gyokusenji Teien) lies at part of lot 35 and adjoining lots, Tamagawa, Haguro-machi, Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture, and was designated by the state on 1 August 1987. Its category is that of places of scenic beauty.
The owner is the temple, Gyokusenji.
The prefecture describes it as a garden of the Horai type at the temple, on an alluvial fan at the south-western foot of Mount Haguro. The Horai type represents in a pond the isle where immortals dwell.
Made by One Hand, Remade by Another
Two people of different standing shaped one garden.
The prefecture records that the garden was made in 1455, when a Zen master restored the temple at the request of a local lord.
It continues that in 1648 the chief administrator of Haguro repaired it, and that after several further alterations it was completed in the late Edo period.
The maker restored the temple; the one who reshaped it held office at Haguro. Such an administrator oversaw the affairs of a temple or shrine.
The repair came 193 years after the making, and the garden is said to have been completed in the late Edo period. From beginning to finish spans centuries.
At the Bingo provincial seat, the course from rise to decline is read from remains. Here the course of making goes on in the record.
Five Ponds Joined by Three Islands
The water is not one pond but several.
The prefecture records that the ponds lie with the hill behind them, a small mound raised, and 5 ponds, a gourd-shaped pond among them, joined by 3 islands, with standing stones large and small and stone lanterns set about.
An island of this kind is set within a pond. Here the islands become the joints between ponds.
A gourd-shaped pond pinches in at the middle. It is named as one of the 5.
At Himeshima, the island is counted as 7 volcanoes: numbers of the natural land.
Here the numbers are of ponds dug and islands raised by hand. Five and three give the frame of the garden.
Planting Centred on Japanese Yew
The trees of the garden are chosen in the colours of the district.
The prefecture records planting centred on Japanese yew, with azalea, maple, weeping cherry and others, rich in local character.
The yew is a conifer. It is placed at the centre, with flowering and autumn-colouring trees added about it.
At Jikoin Garden, the borrowing of distant hills into the view is what is valued: the garden uses what lies outside it.
Here the trees within the garden show the character of the district.
The prefecture closes that the garden shows care taken throughout, and makes a scene in harmony with rich natural beauty.
Visiting
The garden lies at part of lot 35 and adjoining lots, Tamagawa, Haguro-machi, Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture, owned by the temple.
The prefecture records it east of the main hall and the priests' quarters, about 30 metres east to west up to the foot of the hill and about 60 metres north to south. It runs long from north to south along the hillside.
The prefecture's record gives it as open to the public.
The page in the national online heritage database lists the name, reading, category, location and date of designation. This article rests on the prefecture's record.
It lies within a temple precinct, so viewing hours and terms follow the owner's arrangements. Check before travelling.
Q&A
- When was the garden designated?
- On 1 August 1987, by the state, as a place of scenic beauty.
- Who made it?
- A Zen master made it in 1455 when he restored the temple, and the chief administrator of Haguro repaired it in 1648.
- How many ponds are there?
- Five, a gourd-shaped pond among them, joined by three islands.
- What trees are planted?
- Japanese yew at the centre, with azalea, maple, weeping cherry and others, rich in local character.
- How large is it?
- About 30 metres east to west and about 60 metres north to south, east of the main hall and priests' quarters.
Basic Information
| Name | Gyokusenji Temple Garden (玉川寺庭園, Gyokusenji Teien) |
|---|---|
| Location | Part of lot 35 and adjoining lots, Tamagawa, Haguro-machi, Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture |
| Designation | Place of scenic beauty; designated as a garden rather than as a building or a work of art |
| Year Designated | 1987 (1 August), designated |
| Quantity | 1 garden, with 5 ponds and 3 islands |
| Dimensions | East of the main hall and priests' quarters, about 30 metres east to west up to the foot of the hill and about 60 metres north to south. Made in 1455, repaired in 1648 and said to have been completed in the late Edo period |
| Owner | Gyokusenji |
| Public Access | Given as open in the prefecture's record; viewing hours and terms follow the owner's arrangements |
References
- Yamagata Prefecture: cultural properties search, the garden
- https://www.pref.yamagata.jp/cgi-bin/yamagata-takara/?m=detail&id=1149
- Cultural Heritage Online: the garden
- https://bunka.nii.ac.jp/heritages/detail/201096
- Gyokusenji: the garden
- https://gyokusenji.or.jp/teien/
- Agency for Cultural Affairs, National Cultural Properties Database
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/
Last verified: 2026.09.22