The pond is a section of the Emperor Saga's Kyoto garden (Saga-no-in). The islands in the lake are the oldest surviving fragment of a Japanese garden. It is a beautiful place and one can easily imagine the pleasure boats which were used to enjoy the shinden-zukuri ('sleeping-hall style')estates described in the Tale of Genjii. Daikaku-ji Temple, on the west shore of the Pond plays something of the visual role which the palace on the north of the pond must once have played.
