The Golden Temple

The painting attempts to capture the beauty of Kinkakuji Temple, also known as the Golden Pavilion, located in Kyoto, Japan. The temple was originally built as a retirement villa for a shogun who willed it to the Rinzai sect after his death and thus, became a Zen temple in 1408. The top two floors of the temple are completely covered in gold leaf and it overlooks a pond. During winter, snow covers the temple and its surrounds, conveying a peaceful and surreal scene. The contrast between the gold of the temple and the whiteness of the snow is said to be an awe inspiring sight. This temple is one of the topmost sights to see in Kyoto. With 2020 being the year that brought travel to a standstill, and 2021 not looking much better, this painting hopefully brings the beauty of a wonderful scenery to a living room.