Hidden Shisendo

It’s hard to believe, but true. In the last decade I have a written a novel set in Shisendo, designed a website largely dedicated to Shisendo, blogged numerous times about its builder, Ishikawa Jozan, and yet I have never blogged about the place itself. While that might sound surprising on the face of it, considering how much verbiage I have already generated about it, I can be forgiven for not having reviewed Shisendo like just about every other attraction in Kyoto I have visited.

Today, I intend to redress this oversight while simultaneously buying myself some time to complete research required for a few longer blog posts I have planned. Having already shared a photo gallery of the more familiar views around Shisendo, today I’m sharing some pictures of the less photographed, but still interesting elements of the house and grounds.

A place to wash.

Note the curved beam follows the shape of the original trunk.

The eavestrough is made from bamboo split vertically.

The waterfall borders Hachidai Shrine.

Even after years of erosion, the shape of a Jizo is discernible. I don't know if it was placed by Ishikawa or not.

Even this conventional view reveals a well in the distance.

Paths on the grounds lead to interesting views for those who pause to find them.

Travis Belrose is the author of The Samurai Poet, a work of historical fiction based on the life of Ishikawa Jozan. Learn more here.