hōrai gantō 蓬莱岩島

Lit. Penglai rock island. The technique of representing Mt. Penglai *Hōraisan 蓬莱山 in a garden through an artificial island made of rock, and often dirt and plants. Most hōrai gantō, found in a pond-style garden, are either rock outcroppings surmounted with small plants, or are earthen islands, usually with a pine tree, and often including a stone. Good examples can be found in the gardens at Rokuonji 鹿苑寺 in Kyoto, and Rikugien 六義園 in Tokyo. Less common are hōrai gantō in dry landscape *karesansui 枯山水 gardens, where they usually are made of a group of rocks together with moss and small plants. The side garden of the Hōjō 方丈 at Daitokuji Zuihōin 大徳寺瑞峰院 in Kyoto, is also a good example of this type.