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86-516: The Zenpukuji, Momozono, and Myōshō-ji rivers are tributaries of the Kanda. The outer moat of the Imperial Palace is also a tributary. The Nihonbashi River is a distributary of the Kanda. Originally the lower part of the river ran southwards into an inlet of the sea that ran northwards to present-day Hibiya and Kokyo Gaien plaza . During the rule of the shogun Tokugawa Hidetada , the river

172-572: A dormitory for imperial princesses, however this building was removed prior to the construction of the present gardens. Other buildings such as stables and housing were removed to create the East Garden in its present configuration. Construction work began in 1961 with a new pond in the Ninomaru, as well as the repair and restoration of various keeps and structures from the Edo period. On 30 May 1963,

258-400: A keep, and substitute Himeji Castle for that purpose. A non-profit "Rebuilding Edo-jo Association" (NPO江戸城再建) was founded in 2004 with the aim of a historically correct reconstruction of at least the main keep. In March 2013 Naotaka Kotake, head of the group, said that "The capital city needs a symbolic building", and that the group planned to collect donations and signatures on a petition in

344-614: A million copies. Keiko Sekine (Takahashi) and Masao Kusakari starred in a film based on the song. Japanese pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii composed the music Whisper of the River to express his love for his father after the two took a walk along the Kanda River. The Kanda River is also featured prominently in the multimedia project Kandagawa Jet Girls . It serves as the venue for all of the anime version's Jet Racing and VR training sequences as well as assorted other activities throughout

430-512: A plastic pole as weapons when faced by staff and local police officers. A similar incident took place in 2013, in which two drunken tourists decided to try to sneak into the palace building after removing their clothing and entering the water near Sakurada Gate . The Imperial Palace ( 宮殿 , Kyūden ) and the headquarters of the Imperial Household Agency are located in the former Nishinomaru enceinte ( West Citadel ) of

516-554: A short speech greeting and thanking the visitors and wishing them good health and blessings. Parts of the Fukiage garden are sometimes open to the general public. The old Honmaru , Ninomaru , and Sannomaru compounds now comprise the East Gardens, an area with public access containing administrative and other public buildings. The Kitanomaru Park is located to the north and is the former northern enceinte of Edo Castle. It

602-427: A straight line, but were staggered, forcing a person to make a 90 degree turn to pass on to the next gate. This style of construction for the main gates is called masugata (meaning "square"). As noted by Caron, the gate consisted of a square-shaped courtyard or enclosure and a two-story gatehouse which is entered via three roofed kōrai-mon . The watari-yagura-mon was constructed at adjacent angles to each side within

688-648: A total area of 1,254 m (13,500 sq ft). The hall is octagon-shaped and each of its eight outer walls is decorated with differently designed mosaic tiles. Construction began in August 1964 and was completed in February 1966. Symbolic trees representing each prefecture in Japan are planted in the northwestern corner of Ninomaru enceinte. Such trees have been donated from each prefecture and there are total of 260, covering 30 varieties. The small Ninomaru Garden at

774-489: Is a public park and is the site of the Nippon Budokan . To the south is Kokyo Gaien National Garden . Though much of the site is off limits to the public, there have been multiple instances of tourists attempting to trespass on the palace grounds by swimming in the moat. In 2008, a British tourist stripped naked, repeatedly dove into and swam across the moat in an attempt to avoid being arrested, and used stones and

860-458: Is a guardhouse. A big guardhouse was within the Ōte-mon where today's security is. The passageway proceeding west from the guardhouse becomes narrower within the stone walls on both sides. The dōshin-bansho is on the right side past this passageway. This is where the samurai guardsmen were posted to watch over the castle grounds. There is a big stone wall in front of the Dōshin-bansho , which

946-418: Is also constructed as a masu -gate just like Ōte-mon and Hirakawa-mon , and has a watari-yagura-mon in a left angle. The bridge in front of the gate, which was once a drawbridge during the Edo period, is now fixed to the ground. The metal clasps used to draw the bridge are still attached to the roof of the gate. The main keep or tower (known as the tenshu-dai ( 天守台 ) ) was in the northern corner of

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1032-463: Is close to the former inner palace storage area, it is believed to have been used for storage of supplies and documents for the shogunate. Shiomi-zaka ( 潮見坂 ) is a slope running alongside today's Imperial Music Department building towards Ninomaru enceinte. In old times apparently the sea could be seen from here, therefore its name. At the foot of the Shiomi-zaka on the eastern side of

1118-543: Is known as Hie Shrine . Hirakawa-mon ( 平川門 ) is said to have been the main gate to the Sannomaru of Edo Castle. It is also said to have been the side gate for maidservants and therefore called the Otsubone-mon . The shape of this gate is in the masugata , similar to the Ōte-mon . However a watari-yagura-mon is built to an adjacent left angle within the kōrai-mon , of which it has two. The other kōrai-mon

1204-581: Is said to have built the Sanno-Gongendō here, where two shrines were when the Tokugawa clan occupied the site. With the erection of the Honmaru of Edo Castle, the shrine dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane was moved to Kojimachi Hirakawa-chō and later became known as Hirakawa Shrine . Sanno Shrine was first moved to Momijiyama of Edo Castle and became its tutelary shrine but was moved again. Today it

1290-514: Is subject to debate, with estimates ranging from 6 to 10 miles. With the enforcement of the sankin-kōtai system in the 17th century, it became expedient for the daimyōs to set up residence in Edo close to the shōgun . Surrounding the inner compounds of the castle were the residences of daimyōs , most of which were concentrated at the Outer Sakurada Gate to the south-east and in the Ōtemachi and Daimyō-Kōji districts east of

1376-541: Is the easternmost enceinte next to the Ninomaru , separated by the Tenjin-bori . Ōte-bori is to the north, running then south is Kikyō-bori . A steep slope, Bairin-zaka ( 梅林坂 ) , runs from eastern Honmaru toward Hirakawa-mon in front of the today's Archives and Mausolea Department building. It is said that Ōta Dōkan planted several hundred plum trees in 1478 in dedication to Sugawara no Michizane . Dōkan

1462-557: Is the foundation of the Ōte-sanno-mon watari-yagura keep. The long building to the left on the southern side of this foundation is the hyakunin-bansho ( 百人番所 ) . The Hyakunin-bansho is so called because it housed a hundred guardsmen closely associated with the Tokugawa clan. The large stone wall in front of the Hyakunin-bansho is all that is left of the Naka-no-mon watari-yagura (Inner Gate Keep). This building to

1548-403: Is to the west of the watari-yagura-mon which was used as the "gates of the unclean" for the deceased and criminals from within the castle. Outside this gate is a wooden bridge with railings crowned with giboshi -ornamental tops. Ōte-mon ( 大手門 , "Great Hand Gate") was the main gate of the castle. During the reign of the second Tokugawa shōgun Hidetada , the castle underwent repairs in

1634-652: The Matsu no Ōrōka corridor, scene of dramatic events in 1701 that led to the forty-seven rōnin incident. The Fujimi-tamon ( 富士見多聞 ) defense house is about 120–130 meters (390–430 ft) north from the Matsu no Ōrōka . This defense house sits on top of the large stone walls overlooking to the Hasuike-bori (Lotus-growing moat). Weapons and tools were stored here. During the Edo period, double and triple keeps ( yagura ) were constructed at strategic points on top of

1720-433: The daimyō s to supply building materials or finances, a method shogunate used to keep the powers of the daimyō s in check. Large granite stones were moved from afar, the size and number of the stones depended on the wealth of the daimyō s. The wealthier ones had to contribute more. Those who did not supply stones were required to contribute labor for such tasks as digging the large moats and flattening hills. The earth that

1806-678: The Akasaka Palace after the Meiji restoration, but was reconstructed in its original location in 1912. It was moved to its present location during the construction of the East Garden. The Kitanomaru Park is located to the north and is the former northern enceinte of Edo Castle. It is a public park and is the site of Nippon Budokan Hall . This garden contains a bronze monument to Prince Kitashirakawa Yoshihisa ( 北白川宮能久親王 , Kitashirakawa-no-miya Yoshihisa-shinnō ) . The Kokyo Gaien National Garden consists of outer gardens that ring

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1892-592: The Fukiage Palace ( 吹上御所 , Fukiage gosho ) where the Emperor has his living quarters, the main palace ( 宮殿 , Kyūden ) where various ceremonies and receptions take place, some residences of the Imperial Family , an archive, museums and administrative offices. The 1.15-square-kilometer (0.44 sq mi) palace grounds and gardens are built on the site of the old Edo Castle . After

1978-470: The Fukiage Palace ( 吹上御所 , Fukiage gosho ) , the official residence of the Emperor and empress, is located in the Fukiage Garden. Designed by Japanese architect Shōzō Uchii the modern residence was completed in 1993. The residence is currently in use by Emperor Naruhito. Except for the Imperial Household Agency and the East Gardens, the main grounds of the palace are generally closed to

2064-433: The Honmaru enceinte and is three storeys high. Fujimi-yagura is one of only three remaining keeps of the inner citadel of Edo Castle, from a total number of originally eleven. The other remaining keeps are Fushimi-yagura (next to the upper steel bridge of Nijūbashi ) and Tatsumi-nijyu-yagura (at the corner of Kikyō-bori moat next to Kikyō-mon gate). It is also called the "all-front-sided" keep because all sides look

2150-463: The Honmaru lies the Ninomaru ( 二の丸 , second enceinte) of Edo Castle. A palace for the heirs of the Tokugawa shōguns was constructed in 1639 in the west area (Western Perimeter) and in 1630 it is reported that a garden designed by Kobori Enshū , who was the founder of Japanese landscaping, was to its south-east. Several fires destroyed whatever stood here and it was not reconstructed. Aside from

2236-476: The Honmaru palace, the Ninomaru was surrounded by 7 keeps, 8 defense houses, approximately 10 gates and other guardhouses. The Tenjin-bori separates a part of the Ninomaru to the Sannomaru . Several renovations were carried out over the years until the Meiji era. A completely new garden has been laid out since then around the old pond left from the Edo period. Only the Hyakunin-bansho and Dōshin-bansho are still standing. The dōshin-bansho ( 同心番所 )

2322-406: The Honmaru ward. Kitahanebashi-mon is right next to it and was one of the main gateways to this innermost part. The measurements are 41 meters (135 ft) in width from east to west, 45 meters (148 ft) in length from north to south, and 11 meters (36 ft) in height. The castle once had a five-storey keep which was 51 meters (167 ft) in height and was thus the highest castle tower in

2408-580: The Imperial Regalia of Japan are kept here and the sanctuary plays a religious role in imperial enthronements and weddings. The East Gardens is where most of the administrative buildings for the palace are located and encompasses the former Honmaru and Ninomaru areas of Edo Castle, a total of 210,000 m (2,300,000 sq ft). Located on the grounds of the East Gardens is the Imperial Tokagakudo Music Hall,

2494-695: The Kamakura period (1185–1333). The Edo clan left in the 15th century as a result of uprisings in the Kantō region , and Ōta Dōkan , a retainer of the Ogigayatsu Uesugi family , built Edo Castle in 1457. The castle came under the control of the Later Hōjō clan in 1524 after the Siege of Edo . The castle was vacated in 1590 due to the Siege of Odawara . Tokugawa Ieyasu made Edo Castle his base after he

2580-658: The Kitanomaru (north compound). The different wards were divided by moats and large stone walls, on which various keeps , defense houses and towers were built. To the east, beyond the Sannomaru was an outer moat, enclosing the Otomachi and Daimyō-Kōji districts. Ishigaki stone walls were constructed around the Honmaru and the eastern side of the Nishinomaru . Each ward could be reached via wooden bridges, which were buffered by gates on either side. The circumference

2666-702: The Tokugawa shogunate there, and it was the residence of the shōgun and the headquarters of the military government during the Edo period (1603–1867) in Japanese history . After the resignation of the shōgun and the Meiji Restoration , it became the Tokyo Imperial Palace . Some moats , walls and ramparts of the castle survive to this day. However, the grounds were more extensive during

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2752-470: The shōgun moved to the Nishinomaru residences for the time being until reconstruction was complete. However, in 1853 both the Honmaru and Nishinomaru burned down, forcing the shōgun to move into a daimyō residence. The last fire occurred in 1873, after which the palace was not rebuilt by the new imperial government. Behind the Honmaru Palace was the main keep. Besides being the location of

2838-521: The surrender of Japan at an underground air-raid shelter on the palace grounds referred to as His Majesty's Library ( 御文庫附属室 , Obunko Fuzokushitsu ) . Due to the large-scale destruction of the Meiji-era palace, a new main palace hall ( 宮殿 , Kyūden ) and residences were constructed on the western portion of the site in 1964–1968, designed by architect Junzō Yoshimura . The area was renamed Imperial Residence ( 皇居 , Kōkyo ) in 1948, while

2924-497: The Ōte-mon was reconstructed. The tatsumi-yagura ( 巽櫓 ) , also known as sakurada-yagura ( 桜田櫓 ) , is a two-story high keep at the easternmost corner of the Sannomaru and the only keep still remaining in it. One of the few gates left of the Ninomaru is the kikyō-mon ( 桔梗門 ) , which is also known as the Inner Sakurada-mon , as opposed to the (Outer) Sakurada-mon in the south. The architecture of

3010-548: The 1620s and the gate is said to have taken its present form at this time, with the help of Date Masamune , lord of Sendai Castle, and Soma Toshitane , lord of Nakamura Castle. A fire in Edo destroyed the Ōte-mon in January 1657, but was reconstructed in November 1658. It was severely damaged twice, in 1703 and 1855 , by strong earthquakes, and reconstructed to stand until the Meiji era. Several repairs were conducted after

3096-691: The Edo Castle. The main buildings of the palace grounds, including the Kyūden ( 宮殿 ) main palace, home of the liaison conference of the Imperial General Headquarters , were severely damaged by the fire of May 1945. Today's palace consists of multiple modern structures that are interconnected. The palace complex was finished in 1968 and was constructed of steel-framed reinforced concrete structures produced domestically, with two stories above ground and one story below. The buildings of

3182-585: The Edo period, with Tokyo Station and the Marunouchi section of the city lying within the outermost moat. It also encompassed Kitanomaru Park , the Nippon Budokan Hall and other current landmarks of the surrounding area. The warrior Edo Shigetsugu built his residence in what is now the Honmaru and Ninomaru part of Edo Castle, around the end of the Heian period (794–1185) or beginning of

3268-620: The Great Pine Corridor ( Matsu no Ōrōka ) of Edo Castle, Asano Takumi-no-kami drew his short sword and attempted to kill Kira Kōzuke-no-suke for insulting him. This triggered the events involving the forty-seven rōnin . After the capitulation of the shogunate in 1867, the inhabitants and shōgun had to vacate the premises. The castle compound was renamed Tokyo Castle ( 東京城 , Tōkei-jō ) in October, 1868, and then renamed Imperial Castle ( 皇城 , Kōjō ) in 1869. In

3354-731: The Imperial Palace were constructed by the Takenaka Corporation in a modernist style with clear Japanese architectural references such as the large, gabled hipped roof, columns and beams. The complex consists of six wings, including: Halls include the Minami-Damari , Nami-no-Ma , multiple corridors, Kita-Damari , Shakkyō-no-Ma , Shunju-no-Ma , Seiden-Sugitoe (Kaede) , Seiden-Sugitoe (Sakura) , Take-no-Ma , Ume-no-Ma and Matsu-no-Ma . Famous Nihonga artists such as Maeda Seison were commissioned to paint

3440-533: The Imperial Palace. It contain bronze monuments to Kusunoki Masashige ( 楠木正成 ) and to Wake no Kiyomaro ( 和気清麻呂 ) . Edo Castle Edo Castle ( 江戸城 , Edo-jō ) is a flatland castle that was built in 1457 by Ōta Dōkan in Edo , Toshima District, Musashi Province . In modern times it is part of the Tokyo Imperial Palace in Chiyoda , Tokyo , and is therefore also known as Chiyoda Castle ( 千代田城 , Chiyoda-jō ) . Tokugawa Ieyasu established

3526-428: The Meiji era were constructed of wood. Their design employed traditional Japanese architecture in their exterior appearance while the interiors were an eclectic mixture of fashionable Japanese and European elements. The ceilings of the grand chambers were coffered with Japanese elements; however, Western chairs, tables and heavy curtains furnished the spaces. The floors of the public rooms had parquets or carpets, while

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3612-456: The Meiji era, but the damage caused by the September 1923 Great Kantō earthquake lead to the dismantling of the watari-yagura (渡り櫓) and rebuilding of the stone walls on each side of the gate in 1925. The watari-yagura was burnt down completely during World War II on April 30, 1945. Restoration took place from October 1965 through March 1967, to repair the kōrai -mon and its walls, and

3698-832: The Music Department of the Board of Ceremonies of the Imperial Household, the Archives and Mausolea Department Imperial Household Agency, structures for the guards such as the Saineikan dojo , and the Museum of the Imperial Collections . Several structures that were added since the Meiji period were removed over time to allow construction of the East Garden. In 1932, the kuretake-ryō was built as

3784-637: The Palace. However, the twin bridge "Nijubashi" in front of it is more famous than the gate itself, thus the Palace Entrance is often publicly referred to as "Nijubashi". An eye-witness account is given by the French director François Caron from the Dutch colony at Dejima . He described the gates and courts being laid out in such a manner as to confuse an outsider. Caron noted the gates were not placed in

3870-623: The area was declared by the Japanese government a "Special Historic Relic" under the Cultural Properties Protection Law. The Tōkagakudō ( 桃華楽堂 , Peach Blossom Music Hall) is located to the east of the former main donjon of Edo Castle in the Honmaru. Designed by Kenji Imai , this music hall was built in commemoration of the 60th birthday of Empress Kōjun on 6 March 1963. The ferro-concrete building covers

3956-563: The artworks. The Kyūden is used for both receiving state guests and holding official state ceremonies and functions. The Matsu-no-Ma ( Pine Chamber ) is the throne room. The Emperor gives audiences to the Prime Minister in this room, as well as appointing or dismissing ambassadors and Ministers of State . It is also the room where the Prime Minister and Chief Justice is appointed to office. The Fukiage Garden has carried

4042-539: The best cherry blossom sites in Tokyo. Construction began in the 1980s of a diversion tunnel which could temporarily store excess water which historically has been a big problem causing flooding to thousands of homes during powerful typhoons or torrential downpours. The Kanda River Underground Diversion Channel is actually one huge tunnel built under major roads. The plan is to construct a 4.5-km tunnel, 13 m wide tunnel 40 meters below street level. The first 2 km section

4128-675: The capitulation of the shogunate and the Meiji Restoration , the inhabitants, including the Shōgun Tokugawa Yoshinobu , were required to vacate the premises of the Edo Castle . Leaving the Kyoto Imperial Palace on 26 November 1868, the Emperor arrived at the Edo Castle, made it to his new residence and renamed it to Tōkei Castle ( 東京城 , Tōkei-jō ) . At this time, Tōkyō had also been called Tōkei. He left for Kyōto again, and after coming back on 9 May 1869, it

4214-421: The castle inside the outer moat. Some residences were also within the inner moats in the outer Nishinomaru . The mansions were large and very elaborate, with no expenses spared to construct palaces with Japanese gardens and multiple gates. Each block had four to six of the mansions, which were surrounded by ditches for drainage. Daimyōs with lesser wealth were allowed to set up their houses, called banchō , to

4300-402: The castle. He claimed to have seen 20,000 servants between the first gate and the shōgun ' s palace. He passed through two ranks of 1,000 soldiers armed with muskets , and by the second gate he was escorted by 400 armed men. He passed stables that apparently had room for 200 horses and an armory that stored enough weapons for 100,000 men. The Honmaru ( 本丸 , also spelled Hommaru ) was

4386-491: The central, innermost part of the castle containing the keep and residence of the shōgun . The stately and luxurious main buildings of the Honmaru , consisting of the outer, central, and inner halls, were said to have covered an area of 33,000 square meters (360,000 sq ft) during the Kan-ei era (1624–1644). Surrounding the Honmaru were curtain walls, with 11 keeps, 15 defense houses and more than 20 gates. Honmaru

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4472-478: The east separating the Ninomaru was the Hakuchō-bori , and to the west and south separating the Nishinomaru were the Hasuike-bori and Hamaguri-bori . Most of these still exist, although the Hakuchō-bori has partly been filled in since the Meiji era. Kitahanebashi- mon ( 北桔橋門 , "Northern Drawbridge Gate") is the northern gate to the Honmaru ward, facing Kitanomaru ward across Daikan-cho street. It

4558-422: The eastern part was renamed East Garden ( 東御苑 , Higashi-Gyoen ) and became a public park in 1968. Interior images of the Meiji-era palace The present Imperial Palace encompasses the retrenchments of the former Edo Castle. The modern Kyūden ( 宮殿 ) designed for various imperial court functions and receptions is located in the old Nishinomaru section of the palace grounds. On a much more modest scale,

4644-408: The foot of the castle hill was originally planted in 1636 by Kobori Enshu , a famed landscape artist and garden designer, but it was destroyed by fire in 1867. The current layout was created in 1968, based on a plan drawn up during the reign of ninth shogun, Tokugawa Ieshige . The Suwa no Chaya ( 諏訪の茶屋 ) is a teahouse that was located in the Fukiage Garden during the Edo period. It moved to

4730-484: The gate. All major gates had large timbers that framed the main entry point and were constructed to impress and proclaim the might of the shogunate. Accounts of how many armed men served at Edo Castle vary. The Spanish Governor-General of the Philippines Rodrigo de Vivero y Velasco gave an eye-witness account in 1608–1609, describing the huge stones that made up the walls and a large number of people at

4816-519: The hope of having the tower rebuilt. A reconstruction blueprint had been made based on old documents. The Imperial Household Agency had not indicated whether it would support the project. The residential Honmaru Palace ( 本丸御殿 , honmaru-goten ) and the gardens of the shōgun and his court were constructed around the castle keep in the Honmaru area. It consisted of a series of low-level buildings, connected by corridors and congregating around various gardens, courtyards or lying detached, similar to

4902-566: The imperial government. The imperial palace building itself, however, was constructed in Nishinomaru Ward, not in the same location as the shōgun ' s palace in Honmaru Ward. The site suffered substantial damage during World War II and in the destruction of Tokyo in 1945. Today the site is part of the Tokyo Imperial Palace . The government declared the area an historic site and has undertaken steps to restore and preserve

4988-519: The inner-right side of the gate is the Ō-bansho ( 大番所 ) . As the Honmaru enceinte was said to begin right behind the Naka-no-mon gate, the Ō-bansho probably played a key role in the security of Edo Castle. The Suwa-no-Chaya ( 諏訪の茶屋 ) is a teahouse that was once in the Fukiage garden during the Edo period. After various relocations in the Meiji era, today it is in the modern Ninomaru Garden. The sannomaru ( 三の丸 , third enceinte)

5074-399: The keep and palace, the Honmaru was also the site of the treasury. Three storehouses that bordered on a rampart adjoined the palace on the other side. The entrance was small, made with thick lumber and heavily guarded. Behind the wall was a deep drop to the moat below, making the area secure. The Fujimi-yagura ( 富士見櫓 , "Mount Fuji-viewing keep ") stands in the south-eastern corner of

5160-538: The name of the rest of the river. Most other nearby place names nearby deriving from "Edogawa" had disappeared by 1966, but some remain, including Edogawabashi Station , the bridge after which the station was named, and Edogawa Park ( 江戸川公園 , Edogawa kōen ) in Bunkyo, Tokyo . Additionally, until the late Meiji period , the banks of the river between Ishikiri bridge ( 石切橋 , Ishikiribashi ) and Ryūkei bridge ( 隆慶橋 , Ryūkeibashi ) were considered to be one of

5246-414: The name since the Edo period and is used as the residential area for the Imperial Family . The Fukiage Palace ( 吹上御所 , Fukiage gosho ) , achieved in 1993, was used as the primary residence of Akihito from December 8, 1993, to March 2020. After a period of refurbishment, Naruhito , Masako and Aiko moved in in September 2021. The Fukiage Ōmiya Palace ( 吹上大宮御所 , Fukiage Ōmiya-gosho ) in

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5332-584: The night of 25 May 1945, most structures of the Imperial Palace were destroyed in the Allied firebombing raid on Tokyo . According to the US bomber pilot Richard Lineberger, Emperor's Palace was the target of their special mission on July 29, 1945, and was hit with 2000-pound bombs. In August 1945, in the closing days of the Pacific War, Emperor Hirohito met with his Privy Council and made decisions culminating in

5418-413: The north and west of the castle. To the east and south of the castle were sections that were set aside for merchants, since this area was considered unsuitable for residences. The entertainment district Yoshiwara was also there. Edo Castle was protected by multiple large and small wooden gates ( mon ), constructed in-between the gaps of the stone wall. There were 36 major gates . Not many are left on

5504-551: The northern section was originally the residence of Emperor Showa and Empress Kōjun and was called the Fukiage Palace . After the Emperor's death in 1989, the palace was renamed the Fukiage Ōmiya Palace and was the residence of the Empress Dowager until her death in 2000. It is currently not in use. The palace precincts include the Three Palace Sanctuaries ( 宮中三殿 , Kyūchū-sanden ) . Parts of

5590-415: The outer moats , because they were a traffic hazard. Since the central quarter is now Tokyo Imperial Palace , some gates on the inner moats are well maintained and used as security check points. In old days, "Ote-mon" was the main gate and the most heavily armed. There were 3 more gates you would go through after "Ote-mon" to reach the Shogun 's residents . Today, "Nishinomaru-mon" is the main entrance to

5676-469: The outer walls were 12 meters (39 ft) high. Moats forming roughly concentric circles were dug for further protection. Some moats reached as far as Ichigaya and Yotsuya , and parts of the ramparts survive to this day. This area is bordered by either the sea or the Kanda River, allowing ships access. Various fires over the centuries damaged or destroyed parts of the castle, Edo and the majority of its buildings being made of timber. On April 21, 1701, in

5762-410: The public, except for reserved guided tours from Tuesdays to Saturdays (which access only the Kyūden Totei Plaza in front of the Chowaden). Each New Year (January 2) and Emperor's Birthday (February 23), the public is permitted to enter through the Nakamon (inner gate) where they gather in the Kyūden Totei Plaza. The Imperial Family appears on the balcony before the crowd and the Emperor normally gives

5848-403: The remaining structures of Edo Castle. The plan of Edo Castle was not only large but elaborate. The grounds were divided into various wards , or citadels. The Honmaru was in the center, with the Ninomaru (second compound), Sannomaru (third compound) extending to the east; the Nishinomaru (west compound) flanked by Nishinomaru-shita (outer section) and Fukiage (firebreak compound); and

5934-419: The residential spaces used traditional tatami mats. The main audience hall was the central part of the palace. It was the largest building in the compound. Guests were received there for public events. The floor space was more than 223 tsubo or approximately 737.25 m (7,935.7 sq ft). In the interior, the coffered ceiling was traditional Japanese-style, while the floor was parquetry. The roof

6020-404: The same from all directions. It is believed that once Mount Fuji could be seen from this keep, hence the name. Since the main keep of Edo Castle was destroyed in 1657 and not reconstructed, the Fujimi-yagura took on its role and was an important building after being constructed in 1659 during the Edo period. About 150–160 meters (490–520 ft) north of the Fujimi-yagura is the former site of

6106-448: The series. 35°41′42″N 139°47′17″E  /  35.694964°N 139.788°E  / 35.694964; 139.788 (confluence with Sumida River) Kokyo The Tokyo Imperial Palace ( 皇居 , Kōkyo , literally 'Imperial Residence') is the main residence of the Emperor of Japan . It is a large park -like area located in the Chiyoda district of the Chiyoda ward of Tokyo and contains several buildings including

6192-478: The stone wall surrounding the Honmaru . In between each keep, a defense house (called tamon ) was erected for defensive purposes. There were once 15 of these houses in the Honmaru , of which only the Fujimi-tamon still exists. North of the Fujimi-tamon is the ishimuro ( 石室 , "stone cellar") , on a slope. It is about 20 square meters (220 sq ft). Its precise purpose is unknown, but since it

6278-512: The structures that can be seen in Nijō Castle in Kyoto today. These structures were used for either residential or governmental purposes such as audiences. The Honmaru Palace was one story high, and consisted of three sections: Various fires destroyed the Honmaru Palace over time and was rebuilt after each fire. In the span from 1844 to 1863, Honmaru experienced three fires. After each fire,

6364-471: The time had not indicated whether it would support the project. In the Meiji period , most structures from the Edo Castle disappeared. Some were cleared to make way for other buildings, while others were destroyed by earthquakes and fire. For example, the wooden double bridges ( 二重橋 , Nijūbashi ) over the moat were replaced with stone and iron bridges. The buildings of the Imperial Palace constructed in

6450-466: The tower is a gate and in the kōrai style. The nishinomaru ( 西の丸 , western ward) was the location of the palaces and residences of the retired shōgun and the heir-apparent for a while. The outer part of the Nishinomaru to the east (today's Outer Gardens of the Imperial Palace) was the site of various residences of daimyōs . The Nishinomaru is bordered by moats to the west such as

6536-545: The whole of Japan, symbolizing the power of the shōgun . The first iteration of the keep and its multiple roofs were constructed in 1607 and ornamented with gold. It was rebuilt in 1623 and again in 1638. The third version of the keep was destroyed in the 1657 Fire of Meireki and not reconstructed. The foundations of the keep that survive today were built in preparation for reconstructing the keep, but were never used. Despite this, jidaigeki movies (such as Abarenbō Shōgun ) set in Edo usually depict Edo Castle as having

6622-488: The year Meiji 2 (1868), on the 23rd day of the 10th month of the Japanese calendar the emperor moved to Tokyo and Edo castle became an imperial palace. A fire consumed the old Edo Castle on the night of May 5, 1873. The area around the old keep, which burned in the 1657 Meireki fire , became the site of the new Imperial Palace Castle ( 宮城 , Kyūjō ) , built in 1888. Some Tokugawa-period buildings which were still standing were destroyed to make space for new structures for

6708-458: Was a beach. The landscape was changed for the construction of the castle. Most construction started in 1593 and was completed in 1636 under Ieyasu's grandson, Tokugawa Iemitsu . By this time, Edo had a population of 150,000. The existing Honmaru , Ninomaru , and Sannomaru areas were extended with the addition of the Nishinomaru , Nishinomaru-shita , Fukiage , and Kitanomaru areas. The perimeter measured 16 km. The shōgun required

6794-441: Was completed in 1997, and it can hold the runoff of 50 mm of rain falling in one hour. The reservoir has drawn water from the river on more than a dozen occasions since it opened, and the Kanda River has not flooded during that time. Plans call for the tunnel to be extended to Tokyo Bay , literally creating a second, underground Kanda River. The folk group Kaguyahime released the song Kandagawa in 1973 and sold more than

6880-532: Was destroyed several times by fire and reconstructed after each fire. The keep and main palace were destroyed in 1657 and 1863, respectively, and not reconstructed. Some remains, such as the Fujimi-yagura keep and Fujimi-tamon defense house, still exist. The Honmaru was surrounded by moats on all sides. To the north separating Honmaru from the Kitanomaru were the Inui-bori and Hirakawa-bori , to

6966-487: Was diverted to flow into the Sumida River, with the spoil from the diversion used to reclaim the cove at Hibiya. In the middle section of the length of the river, there is a 2.1 km section from the area near Toden Arakawa Line Waseda Station to near Iidabashi Station which was formerly called Edo River ( 江戸川 , Edogawa ) . The name of this section was changed to Kanda River in August 1970, consistent with

7052-421: Was founded in 2004 with the aim of a historically correct reconstruction of at least the main donjon. In March 2013, Naotaka Kotake, head of the group, said that "the capital city needs a symbolic building", and that the group planned to collect donations and signatures on a petition in support of rebuilding the tower. A reconstruction blueprint had been made based on old documents. The Imperial Household Agency at

7138-449: Was offered eight eastern provinces by Toyotomi Hideyoshi . He later defeated Toyotomi Hideyori , son of Hideyoshi, at the Siege of Osaka in 1615, and emerged as the political leader of Japan. Tokugawa Ieyasu received the title of Sei-i Taishōgun in 1603, and Edo became the center of Tokugawa's administration. Initially, parts of the area were lying under water. The sea reached the present Nishinomaru area of Edo Castle, and Hibiya

7224-538: Was renamed to Imperial Castle ( 皇城 , Kōjō ) . Previous fires had destroyed the Honmaru area containing the old donjon (which itself burned in the 1657 Meireki fire ). On the night of 5 May 1873, a fire consumed the Nishinomaru Palace (formerly the shōgun's residence), and the new imperial Palace Castle ( 宮城 , Kyūjō ) was constructed on the site in 1888. The castle has many gardens. A non-profit "Rebuilding Edo-jo Association" ( NPO法人 江戸城再建 )

7310-662: Was styled similarly to the Kyoto Imperial Palace, but was covered with (fireproof) copper plates rather than Japanese cypress shingles. In the late Taishō and early Shōwa period, more concrete buildings were added, such as the headquarters of the Imperial Household Ministry and the Privy Council . These structures exhibited only token Japanese elements. From 1888 to 1948, the compound was called Palace Castle ( 宮城 , Kyūjō ) . On

7396-430: Was taken from the moats was used as landfill for sea-reclamation or to level the ground. Thus the construction of Edo Castle laid the foundation for parts of the city where merchants were able to settle. At least 10,000 men were involved in the first phase of the construction and more than 300,000 in the middle phase. When construction ended, the castle had 38 gates. The ramparts were almost 20 meters (66 ft) high and

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