Yoshimasa was inspired by the restrained beauty of
the garden at Saiho-ji, which he often
visited, and he sought to duplicate
many of its same features at his villa.4
The garden contained a tea pavilion,
chapel, and bridges leading to an island
with fl at-topped rocks. The two-storied
Silver Pavilion (its name derives from an
unrealized project to cover the ceiling
with silver leaf) contained a meditation
chapel and Buddha hall, and afforded
superb views of the garden. The large
sand mounds—the Sea of Silver Sand
and the truncated cone of the Moonviewing
Platform—were added during
later restorations.