The Golden Pavilion near Kyoto was originally built in 1397 by a retired shogun. The first level
is built in the merchant style, the second in the samuri style, and the third in the Zen style.
Above it all is the phoenix. He dreamt of transcending it all and becoming emperor.
Unfortunately that is a hereditary title so he had no chance of ever doing this. The pavilion was
burnt down by a mad monk in 1950 and rebuilt in 1955. Originally only the ceiling of the top
level was covered in gold leaf, but now the top two floors are covered with more than 40
pounds of it.
is built in the merchant style, the second in the samuri style, and the third in the Zen style.
Above it all is the phoenix. He dreamt of transcending it all and becoming emperor.
Unfortunately that is a hereditary title so he had no chance of ever doing this. The pavilion was
burnt down by a mad monk in 1950 and rebuilt in 1955. Originally only the ceiling of the top
level was covered in gold leaf, but now the top two floors are covered with more than 40
pounds of it.