Kinkaku-ji

I sparkle in the sun. I live next to a big, calm pond that looks just like a mirror. When you look into the water, you can see me smiling back at you. A special golden bird, a phoenix, sits right on my roof. He watches over my beautiful garden every day. Can you guess who I am. I am Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion in Japan, and I am covered in shiny, happy gold.

A long, long time ago, a very important man named Ashikaga Yoshimitsu wanted a special, peaceful place to rest. Around the year 1397, he started building me, piece by piece. He loved to stand on my balconies and look out at the pretty trees and the calm, quiet water. It made him feel very happy. After he was gone, in the year 1408, I became a quiet place for everyone to visit. I became a special kind of temple where people can come to feel peaceful and think happy thoughts.

Oh dear, I had a very sad day a long time ago. On July 2nd, 1950, there was a big fire, and I was burned. All my shiny gold was gone. But so many people loved me. They worked together, like a big team, to build me all over again, just like I was before. By the year 1955, they carefully placed thin sheets of real gold all over me. They made me sparkle and shine once more for everyone to see.

Today, I love to watch the seasons change all around me. In the spring, the cherry blossoms bloom in fluffy pink clouds. In the summer, all the leaves on the trees are a bright, happy green. In the fall, the leaves turn fiery red and bright orange, like a beautiful painting. And in the winter, a soft blanket of white snow sometimes covers my golden roof. I shine for all the children and families who visit. I am here to remind them that even after sad times, beautiful things can shine brightly again.