Ryoanji - karesansui Zen garden

A rare specimen is found at Ryoanji, where, enclosed by low walls on three sides, there are simply fifteen rocks of varying sizes wonderfully grouped on a flat piece of ground covered with sand. This unique garden by So-ami (some say by Zen-ami), is said to illustrate the story of a tiger fleeing from one island to another with its three cubs, one of which is an unruly leopard, against which other young ones had to be protected. There is not a single tree or shrub, but the trees outside the walls and distant views beyond serve as a fitting background for this idealised garden.