Description:
From the official website in English:
Kodai-ji Temple is located north east of Yasaka Hokanji Temple at the foot of Higashiyama Ryozen Mountains in Kyoto. It is officially called Kodaiji-jushozenji Temple. The temple was established in 1606 by Kita-no-Mandokoro (1548-1624) in memory of her late husband Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1536-1598). Kita-no-Mandokoro was also known as Nene. She later became a priestess and assumed the name of Kodaiin Kogetsuni. In July 1624, Sanko Osho from Kenninji Temple was welcomed as the principal monk and the temple was then named Kodai-ji. Tokugawa Ieyasu (1542-1616) (the first Tokugawa shogun) financed the construction of the temple, resulting in its magnificent appearance.
Currently Kaisando (Founder’s Hall), Otama-ya (Sanctuary), Kasatei (Teahouse), Shiguretei (Teahouse), Omotetmon (Gate to Sanctuary) and Kangetsudai (Moon Viewing Pavilion) are designated as important cultural properties of Japan. Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Kita-no-Mandokoro are enshrined in “Otama-ya” and their graves lie under the state of Kita-no-Mandokoro. Shumidan (dais for a Buddhist image) and Zushi (small shrine) are decorated with splendid makie (Japanese lacquer with gilded patterns) which is known as “Kodai-ji Makie“, typical of the Momoyama period. (late 16th century) The pond garden around Kaisando is said to have been designed by the great garden designer, Kobori Enshu.Kita-no-Mandokoro received the rank of Juichii (the highest rank a woman could receive from the emperor) in 1588 and the title of Kodaiin from Emperor Goyozei in 1603. Kita-no-Mandokoro died on September 6th, 1624 at the age of 76.
The Temple Garden
This garden is said to have been designed by the landscape garden designer Kobori Enshu (1579-1647). The garden is designated by the Japanese Government as a historical site and a place of scenic beauty.Kodai-ji temple(Garden)
Another online resource that discusses Entokuin for more detail
Kodaiji Virtual Tour. Use instructions: While holding the mouse button down, move the mouse left or right to explore the gardens in 360 (trackpad users simply need to move their finger horizontally across the track pad).
When the cursor changes to an arrow, click the mouse button to move to the next area of the garden.
To zoom in, press the Shift key. To zoom out, press the Command key on the Macintosh and the Control key on Windows & Linux.
To learn more about the details of a specific garden, move the mouse over the I (Information) button located at the bottom of the display.
To see a map of the garden and your present location, move the mouse over the M (Map) button located at the bottom of the display. A red dot marks your present location within the garden.