Kyakuden depicts carp caught in a net. Visible beyond is the kasumidana, a famous set of decorative shelves made of zelkova wood.
The lawn on the west side of Rakushiken contains a kasamatsu (Japanese umbrella pine) trained on bamboo poles into a broad canopy shape.
The images on these sugi (Japanese cedar) doors inside the Kyakuden depict hoko (floats) used in the annual Gion Festival.
The interior of Kyusuitei (Pavilion in the Far Distance), the only building surviving from the original Shugakuin Imperial Villa.
A stone lantern in the Kami no Ochaya (upper tea house) garden.
An exterior view of Kyusuitei, which is located at the highest point of the main island in Yokuryu-chi (Pond of the Bathing Dragon).
Kaedebashi (Maple Tree Bridge) leading to the main island in Yokuryu-chi.
The view of the Kitayama hills beyond Kami no Ochaya from Rinuntei (Pavilion Next to the Clouds) is a fine example of shakkei (borrowed scenery).
The single room inside Kyusuitei is eighteen tatami mats in area. The six mats in the northwest corner, which are slightly raised and edged with a black-lacquered frame, are intended as a spot for sitting and observing the garden.
A view from inside the palace compound, looking toward the Jomeimon gate, with the Kenreimon gate visible beyond.
Kenreimon (named for Empress Dowager Kenrei), the south gate to the palace grounds, through which even today only the Emperor may pass.
Kenshunmon, the east gate, formerly used by the Empresses and Empress Dowagers.
Kyoto Imperial Palace
LOCATION KAMIGYO-KU
ESTABLISHED IN 1331
BUILT FOR EMPEROR KOGON
Kyoto was the nominal capital of Japan for over a thousand years, but during much of that time effective power lay elsewhere. While the Imperial family lived in secluded irrelevance in their Kyoto palace, a series of samurai warlords fought for dominance over the nation. The Edo Period (1603–1868) saw Japan reunified in the wake of a century of devastating civil wars, with a military regime (the Tokugawa Shogunate) taking control and imposing peace, stability, and unity from their base in Edo, a coastal city located far to the east of Kyoto. The Emperor was finally restored to power in 1868, and the nation’s capital officially relocated from Kyoto to Edo—the latter city was then renamed Tokyo. In 1869 the Imperial family moved to their new home in Tokyo, and many of the residences within the grounds of the old Imperial Palace (now known as the Kyoto Gosho) were demolished, but in 1877 Emperor Meiji (1852–1912) decreed that the remainder be preserved.
The original Imperial Palace, built for the founding of Heian-kyo in 794, was located southwest of the current location. The current palace location was originally one of several satodairi (temporary palaces) located throughout the city, and was first designated as the official palace in 1331 by Emperor Kogon (1313–64). The buildings themselves have been destroyed and rebuilt repeatedly, eight times during the Edo period alone, of which six were due to fire. Most of the current buildings date from 1855.
Enclosed by a thick clay wall, the palace grounds contain an array of independent structures that display the full range of Kyoto’s traditional architectural styles. Seiryoden, the Imperial residence, and Shishinden, the ceremonial hall, are both built in the shinden style, with the shoin style represented by Otsunegoten, an annex to the main residence. A mixture of shinden and shoin styles is manifest in the Kogosho, a building used for official ceremonies. Constructed in 2005, the Geihinkan, or Kyoto State Guest House, is an outstanding example of modernized sukiya architecture.
The 1855 reconstruction of the Shishinden, as seen from between the vermillion columns of the Jomeimon gate. This is the main hall of the Kyoto Imperial Palace, still used for enthronement ceremonies and other major events.
The central flight of steps leading up to the Shishinden is symbolically flanked by a mandarin tree and a cherry tree.
The view directly up the flight of steps leading to the Shishinden reveals the rich layers of brackets and purlins supporting the eaves.
The veranda of the shinden -style Seiryoden (Refreshing Hall), a building used as the private quarters of the Emperor until the mid-Heian Period (794– 1185).
The north side of the Kogosho (Small Palace) faces onto an open courtyard once used for kemari, a type of football played by palace courtiers.
The east side of Giyoden antechamber, originally built to store the Emperor’s valuables.
A room inside the shoin -style Otsunegoten (Everyday Palace), the largest structure in the palace grounds. Built in the late Muromachi Period (1336–1573), it was used as the Emperor’s residence until the capital shifted to Tokyo.
The roof gable of the Kogosho. Formerly used by the Emperor to receive important guests, the building was destroyed by fire in 1954 and rebuilt in 1958.
The corridor along the Higyosha (one of the five ladies’ quarters), also known as Fujitsubo (Wisteria Court) because of the wisteria growing in its patio garden.
Okurumayose (carriage porch), where guests of the Imperial court would first arrive. Many were permitted to bring their ox carriages right into this space.
Oike-niwa (Pond Garden) is a landscaped stroll garden centered on a large pond. The pond contains a sandbar, stepping stones, bridges, small islands, and a boat dock.
Daikaku-ji
LOCATION UKYO-KU
ESTABLISHED IN 876
BUILT FOR EMPEROR SAGA
Located in the Saga district on the northern outskirts of Kyoto, Daikaku-ji is a Buddhist temple that was once a detached palace known as Sagaso, the property of Emperor Saga (786–842). In 876 it was converted into a Buddhist temple by his daughter Empress Seishi (810–79).
