Quiz about Kinkaku-ji: tidbits to help you understand the Golden Pavilion
Kyoto, also known as the City of a Thousand Years, has a long history and has produced various World Heritage sites over the course of that history.
Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavilion) is one of Kyoto’s most iconic World Heritage sites.
With its striking appearance, it’s a popular destination not only in Japan but also among visitors from overseas.
In this article, we’ll introduce various fun facts about Kinkaku-ji in the form of a quiz.
By learning more deeply about the history embedded in the building, you may find yourself more focused when viewing Kinkaku-ji during sightseeing—and enjoy it even more.
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Quiz related to Kinkaku-ji. Trivia to understand Kinkaku-ji (1–10)
Who built Kinkaku-ji?
- Ashikaga Yoshimitsu
- Ashikaga Yoshimasa
- Toyotomi Hideyoshi
See the answer
Ashikaga Yoshimitsu
Rokuon-ji, known as Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavilion), was built as a villa by Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, a shogun of the Muromachi period. In 1397, Yoshimitsu received the site and constructed his villa there, which was then called names such as Kitayama-dono. The formal name, Rokuon-ji, was adopted after Yoshimitsu’s death, deriving from his posthumous Buddhist name, Rokuon-in-den.
What is the reason why Kinkaku-ji has a golden appearance?
- Appeal to authority or power
- For artistic reasons
- as a religious symbol
See the answer
Appeal to authority or power
The golden appearance—one of Kinkaku-ji’s greatest attractions—was adopted as part of a strategy by the ruler of the time to showcase his authority and power. Yoshimitsu harbored ambitions to strengthen his influence over the imperial court, and this flamboyant Golden Pavilion served as a symbol that displayed his power.
What is the name of the spring near Kinkaku-ji from which water used for tea bubbles up?
- Spirit Phoenix Spring
- Galaxy Spring
- Dragon King Spring
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Galaxy Spring
Kinkaku-ji has a spring called Ginga-sen (“Milky Way Spring”). It is a water source located near Gekkasui, behind Ryūmon Falls at the very back of the temple grounds. The name conveys the meaning of “water as pure as the Milky Way,” and it was originally known as water used for preparing tea.
What is the official name of Kinkaku-ji?
- Jishō-ji (Ginkaku-ji, the Silver Pavilion)
- Rokuon-ji (Kinkaku-ji)
- Kiyomizu-dera (Kiyomizu Temple)
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Rokuon-ji (Kinkaku-ji)
The official name of Kinkaku-ji is Rokuon-ji. Kinkaku-ji is a temple located in Kyoto’s Kita Ward; its real name is Rokuon-ji and its temple mountain name is Kitayama. “Kinkaku” is also the common name for the Shariden, the main building within Rokuon-ji, and it was given this name because it is covered in gold leaf.
What is the denomination?
- Tendai Buddhism
- Jōdo-shū (Pure Land sect)
- Rinzai school (of Zen Buddhism)
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Rinzai school (of Zen Buddhism)
Kinkaku-ji is a Rinzai Zen Buddhist temple, belonging to the Rinzai sect’s Shokoku-ji branch, whose head temple is Shokoku-ji in Kamigyo Ward. Rinzai is a school of Zen Buddhism that centers on zazen (seated meditation) as a practice to approach enlightenment. It was a form of Buddhism that was introduced to Japan in the early Kamakura period.