Special Feature“Japan, the Land of Gold.” How True Is the Old Legend?

Japan’s Golden Heritage

In old Japan, rulers became rich from gold mining and the gold trade. This made it possible for them to command the construction of gilded buildings and the manufacture of art objects. Gold never loses its glitter. So they believed that the use of gold was the best way to show respect to the Buddha and display wealth and power. Before long, artists and artisans developed new ways to decorate with gold, and this led to the flowering of a gold culture.

Text by Uchiyama Ikue

Welcoming delegates to the land of gold

The Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu ruled Japan during the latter part of the 1300s. After he retired, he had this pavilion built as a place to receive delegates from Ming China. The second and third stories are gilded with gold leaf. Commonly called the Temple of the Golden Pavilion, its formal name is Rokuon-ji. (Photo: Shibata Akisuke)