what do you want, brick
Outside and continuing on to the Keage Incline 蹴上インクライン I discovered it was possible to walk there via the top of the historic aqueduct that runs through the temple grounds.
The aqueduct, which was finished in 1890 and which supplies water from the Lake Biwa Canal 琵琶湖疏水 to the city, is a beautiful piece of brick architecture and a sightseeing destination in its own right. They really don't make them like this anymore!
optimism
Above, another view of the left side of the main garden on the way back out.
There's much to appreciate in these gardens, from the overall arrangement of the elements to the architecture that surrounds it, or getting in close and looking at the leaves of the juniper haircap moss or the shape of the gravel.
It always renews my appreciation of attention to detail in design.
reminiscent
The inside of the living quarters is decorated with painted screens on gold leaf backgrounds featuring scenes of natural landscapes, birdlife and a series of dramatically posed tigers in bamboo groves. A combination of original elements and accurate reproductions have been installed to ensure the original 400 year old screens can be preserved.
Outside, Rokudō-tei 六道庭, the “six paths” garden, representing the six realms of rebirth in Buddhism.