Ginkakuji Temple completes major restoration

Ginkakuji in Kyoto, the Temple of the Silver Pavilion, on Monday celebrated the completion of its 1st major restoration in about a century.

Ginkakuji was built in the late 15th century by Ashikaga Yoshimasa, the 8th shogun of the Muromachi government. The Buddhist temple is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

In restoration work that took more than 2 years, the building's shingled roof was replaced for the first time in 3 decades.

Workers also replaced walls and "shoji" paper sliding doors, and applied black lacquer to pillars and walls on the 2nd floor to recreate the original interior.

During the restoration process, researchers discovered red and green painted flowers and clouds on the frame of the temple roof.

Raitei Arima, the chief priest at Ginkakuji, says the renovation presents an opportunity to recognize the greatness of its shogun-builder as a patron of culture.

Arima says he also hopes the refurbished temple will demonstrate to people that a nation's culture can remain unchanged for centuries, unlike its economy or politics.