The silver pavilion Ginkaku-JI temple was built in 1483 by the shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa. He was inspired by the example of his grandfather Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, who in his time was built of Kinkaku-JI temple – the pavilion, two floors of which are covered by sheets of gold leaf.

Unlike the Golden pavilion, the concept of Ginkaku-JI temple was never finished – silver leaves, as expected, it is not sheathed – because of lack of funds or for other reasons is not known. And let silver here, but visitors say that even during the day the walls of the pavilion as seemed to radiate a light silvery glow.

Silver pavilion, as well as Gold, after his master's death it became a Buddhist temple. Today he is in the temple complex Sakoku-JI.

The silver pavilion is a temple of the goddess Kannon, although initially for the rest of the shogun in solitude. The building was part of his residence, called "Higashiyama Palace" or "Palace of the Eastern mountains." In 1485, Yoshimasa he decided to become a Buddhist monk, and after his death, like his grandfather bequeathed to turn his estate into a monastery.

Among the monastic buildings the building of the pavilion was considered the most beautiful. The first floor was called the Hall of the empty heart, and was built in the spirit of the samurai homes of the era. The second floor was called the Pavilion of mercy and interior resembled a Buddhist temple, its altar was a statue of the goddess.

A notable feature of Ginkaku-JI is also a sandy garden, which is considered a model of sand-garden art of the XVI century. It is a lake, which is lined with silver sand and pebbles.

The architecture of the Silver pavilion marked a new stage in the development of Japanese art. The impact of this style, which is called Shoin-zukuri, is present in the present. So, were first used sliding external and internal partitions. When the external septum was removed, the house became part of the garden surrounding the pavilion. First walked in and the tokonoma – the aesthetic center of the home, which housed the composition of the plant corresponding to the time of year, beautiful piece, a shelf for books and writing.