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52-669: The Kyoto Imperial Palace is the latest of the imperial palaces built in the northeastern part of the old capital of Heian-kyō (now known as Kyoto ) after the abandonment of the Heian Palace that was located to the west of the current palace during the Heian period . The Palace lost much of its function at the time of the Meiji Restoration , when the capital functions were moved to Tokyo in 1869. However, Emperor Taishō and Shōwa still had their enthronement ceremonies at

104-480: A blend of architectural elements of shinden zukuri and shoin zukuri styles. The Kogosho Conference was held here on the night of December 9, 1867, the declaration of the restoration of imperial rule ( osei fukko ). The structure burnt down in 1954 and was reconstructed in 1958. The study hall Ogakumonjo ( 御学問所 ) was for reading rites, a monthly poetry recital and also a place the Emperor received nobles. It

156-492: A cherry ( sakura ) on the eastern, left side, and a tachibana orange tree on the right to the west. The garden of white gravel played an important role in the ceremony. The center of the Shishin-den is surrounded by a hisashi ( 庇 ) , a long, thin hallway which surrounded the main wing of an aristocrat's home, in traditional Heian architecture. Within this is a wide open space, crossed by boarded-over sections, leading to

208-486: A hipped and gabled roof, and is primarily cypress wood. Originally a place where the Emperor would conduct his own personal affairs, the Seiryō-den was later used for various gatherings and meetings as well. In the center is an area where the Emperor would rest, and on the east side of the hall, an area of two tatami was set aside for dignitaries and aristocrats to sit. Here was where the Emperor could conduct formal affairs. On

260-621: A number of buildings, along with the imperial residence. The neighboring building to the north is the sentō ( 仙洞 ) , or residence of the retired Emperor, and beyond that, across Imadegawa Street , sits Doshisha University . The Imperial Household Agency maintains the building and the grounds and also runs public tours. The main buildings are, among other halls, the Shishinden ( 紫宸殿 , Hall for State Ceremonies) , Seiryōden ( 清涼殿 , Emperor's Habitual Residence) , Kogosho ( 小御所 , Court Room) , Ogakumonjo ( 御学問所 , Imperial Study or Library) , and

312-579: A number of residences for the Empress, high-ranking aristocrats and government officials. Dignitaries with special permission for official visits used to enter the palace through the Okurumayose ( 御車寄 ) entrance. The Shodaibunoma ( 諸大夫の間 ) building was used as a waiting room for dignitaries on their official visits to the palace. They were ushered into three different anterooms according to their ranks. The Shinmikurumayose ( 新御車寄 ) structure

364-686: A rectangle measuring 4.5 km from east to west and 5.2 km from north to south. The city layout followed Heijō-kyō (Japan's capital during the Nara period ) with the Imperial palace, Daidairi , placed in the center of the northern city limits and the Suzaku Avenue (Suzaku-ōji), the main thoroughfare extending from the palace down through the center of the city, dividing it into the Right ( Ukyō ) and Left Capitals ( Sakyō ) (the eastern side being

416-404: A three-tiered dais painted with black lacquer with balustrades of vermilion. On both sides of the throne are two little tables, where two of the three Imperial regalia (the sword and the jewel), and the privy seal and state seal would be placed. On top of the canopy is a statue of a large phoenix called hō-ō . Surrounding the canopy are eight small phoenixes, jewels and mirrors. Hanging from

468-456: Is a shoin zukuri style building with an irimoya hiwadabuki roof. The Otsunegoten ( 御常御殿 ) was built and used as the Emperor's residence from 1590 until the capital was transferred to Tokyo in 1869. It is the largest structure of the palace with fifteen rooms. Facing it is the Gonaeitei garden. The Osuzumisho ( 御涼所 ) is the summer residence for the Emperor. The Koshun ( 迎春 )

520-590: Is a study hall that was used by Emperor Komei , who reigned from 1846 to 1866. The Omima ( 御三間 ) was used for unofficial ceremonies such as the Star Festival and the Bon festival . The Palace's Suzaku-mon ( 朱雀門 ) is walking distance from JR Nijō Station . 35°01′31″N 135°45′44″E  /  35.02528°N 135.76222°E  / 35.02528; 135.76222 Heian-ky%C5%8D Heian-kyō ( 平安京 , lit. "peaceful/tranquil capital")

572-615: Is an important Shinto sanctuary in the Shimogamo district of Kyoto city's Sakyō ward. Its formal name is Kamo-mioya Shrine ( 賀茂御祖神社 , Kamo-mioya-jinja ) . It is one of the oldest Shinto shrines in Japan and is one of the seventeen Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto which have been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site . The term Kamo- jinja in Japanese is a general reference to Shimogamo Shrine and Kamigamo Shrine ,

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624-458: Is made out of copper and not wooden shingles. The Shishinden ( 紫宸殿 ) is the most important ceremonial building within the palace grounds. The enthronement ceremonies of Emperor Taisho and Emperor Showa took place here. The hall is 33 by 23 metres (108 by 75 ft) in size, and features a traditional architectural style, with a gabled and hipped roof. On either side of its main stairway were planted trees which would become very famous and sacred,

676-464: Is the mother of Kamo Wakeikazuchi ( 賀茂別雷 , the thunder-divider of Kamo) , who was sired by Honoikazuchi-no-mikoto ( 火雷神 , the God of Fire and Thunder) . Kamigamo Shrine, the other of the two Kamo shrines of Kyoto, is dedicated to Kamo Wakeikazuchi. These kami are variously associated with thunder. The shrine became the object of Imperial patronage during the early Heian period . Shimogamo, along with

728-786: The Kenreimon , the inner gate Jomeimon would appear, which is painted in vermilion and roofed in tile. This leads to the Shishin-den , which is the Hall for State Ceremonies. The Gekkamon is a smaller gate on the west side of the main courtyard. The annual Aoi Matsuri in May is the procession of the Saiō-Dai , historically a priestess of the imperial house, to the Shimogamo Shrine and Kamigamo Shrine . The procession departs in front of

780-465: The Kenreimon . Another gate in the outer courtyard is the Kenshunmon , which has a similar architectural style to the Kenreimon . Located next to the Kenshunmon is a square where the traditional ball game Kemari is played. The Shunkōden ( 春興殿 ) was constructed to house the sacred mirror on the occasion of the enthronement ceremony of Emperor Taisho in 1915. The roof is modern in that it

832-473: The Takamikura , but is slightly smaller and more simple in comparison. The canopy is decorated with a statue of the mythical bird ranchō . The Imperial throne is always placed in the center of the main hall, the michodai to the right of it. Both thrones are kept away from public view through screens called misu . The Seiryōden ( 清涼殿 ) sits to the west of the Shishin-den, facing east. It, too, has

884-468: The Kamigamo Shrine, was designated as one of two chief Shinto shrines ( ichinomiya ) for the former Yamashiro Province . In 965, Emperor Murakami ordered that Imperial messengers were sent to report important events to Japan's guardian kami , including Kamo-Tamayori-hime and Kamo-Taketsune. The writer of Hōjōki , Kamo no Chōmei ( 鴨長明 ) ,　was the second son of one of the head priests of

936-613: The Left and the western side being the Right from the emperor's viewpoint.) The design followed Sui and Tang dynasty Changan with the exception that Heian-kyō had no city walls. It is thought that the site for the city was selected according to the principles of Shijinsōō ( 四神相応 , "Four Gods Suitability") based on Chinese Feng shui and relating to the Four Symbols of Chinese astrology. The boundaries of Heian-kyō were smaller than those of modern Kyoto, with Ichijō-ōji ( 一条大路 ) at

988-492: The ambit of shrine's nearby woods, which are vestiges of the primeval forest of Tadasu no Mori . In addition, the shrine name references the area's early inhabitants, the Kamo clan , many of whom continue to live near the shrine their ancestors traditionally served. Shimogamo Shrine is dedicated to the veneration of Tamayori-hime ( 玉依姫 , lit. 'the spirit-inviting maiden') and her father, Kamo Taketsunomi ( 賀茂建角身 ) . Tamayori-hime

1040-558: The area walled. When the capital was moved to Tokyo, the residences of the court nobles were demolished and most of Kyōto Gyoen is now a park open to the public. The Imperial Palace has been officially located in this area since the final abandonment of the Heian Palace in late 12th century. However, it was already much earlier that the de facto residence of the Emperors was often not in the Inner Palace ( 内裏 , dairi ) of

1092-468: The canopy are metal ornaments and curtains. The sliding door that hid the Emperor from view is called kenjō no shōji ( 賢聖障子 ) , and has an image of 32 celestial saints painted upon it, which became one of the primary models for all of Heian period painting. The Michodai ( 御帳台 ) is the August Seat of the Empress. The current throne was constructed in 1913. Its colour and shape are the same as

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1144-547: The capital from Heijō-kyō. It is thought that he wished to build a new, Emperor Tenji faction capital far from Yamato Province which was the power base for the temples and aristocrats who supported the Emperor Tenmu faction. However, only 9 years later in January 793 AD, Emperor Kammu assembled his retainers and announced another relocation of the capital (for the reason see the entry on Nagaoka-kyō .) The location for

1196-645: The capital in Heian-kyō would be best for the stability of the country and resisted this movement, naming Heian-kyō "The Eternal City" ( 万代宮 , "Yorozuyo no Miya" ) . The land of the Right Capital overlapped the wetlands formed by the Katsura River and even by the 9th century little progress had been made in developing the area. By the 10th century when the Ritsuryō system was almost at an end,

1248-474: The central throne room. The Takamikura ( 高御座 ) is the Imperial throne . It has been used on the occasion of the enthronement ceremonies commencing in 707 in the reign of Empress Genmei . The present throne was modeled on the original design, constructed in 1913, two years before the enthronement of Emperor Taishō . The actual throne is a chair in black lacquer, placed under an octagonal canopy resting on

1300-634: The city is thought to have been modelled after the urban planning for the Tang dynasty Chinese capital of Chang'an (modern-day Xi'an ). It remained the chief political center until 1185, when the samurai Minamoto clan defeated the Taira clan in the Genpei War , moving administration of national affairs to Kamakura and establishing the Kamakura shogunate . Though political power would be wielded by

1352-517: The country." It is thought that the construction of Heian-kyō began from the palace, with the construction of the remainder of the city following afterwards. As a display of the emperor's authority the Daigokuden (main building of the palace) was constructed at the far north of the central thoroughfare, Suzaku-oji, making the building visible from anywhere in the city. Ports such as Yodonotsu ( 淀津 , now Yodo ) and Ōitsu ( 大井津 ) were set up along

1404-642: The direction of the Emperor Meiji, the imperial residences have been preserved and the takamikura ( 高御座 ) —a special throne whose location traditionally marked the seat of the emperor—remains at the palace in Kyoto. The green areas in the diagram are markets, temples and a garden. There were two large markets, West Market ( 西市 ) and East Market ( 東市 ) , facing the seventh street, Shichijō -ōji ( 七条大路 ) . Tō-ji ( 東寺 , "East Temple") and Sai-ji ( 西寺 , "West Temple") were Buddhist temples built on

1456-517: The district had become so dilapidated that it began to be used as farmland, something which had previously been forbidden within the city limits. With the exception of an area in the north of the Right Capital near to the palace, the residential areas which housed the aristocracy were all situated in the Left Capital, with the highest echelon of aristocrats such as the Fujiwara clan gathering in

1508-409: The flooding which had plagued the residents of Nagaoka-kyō. Although there was no natural river in the center of Heian-kyō, two artificial canals (the present day Horikawa and Nishi Horikawa) were dug whose water level could be adjusted, simultaneously securing a supply of water and guarding against flooding. Similar to the previous capital of Nagaoka-kyō, the construction of Buddhist temples in Heian-kyō

1560-568: The kanji: Below is a 1696 map of Kyoto, known as Genroku 9 Kyoto Daizu ( 元禄九年京都大絵図 ) Archived 2016-10-08 at the Wayback Machine held by the International Research Center for Japanese Studies (Nichibunken) . 35°00′N 135°46′E  /  35.000°N 135.767°E  / 35.000; 135.767 Shimogamo Shrine Shimogamo Shrine ( Japanese : 下鴨神社 , Hepburn : Shimogamo-jinja )

1612-404: The minor streets was 4 Jō ( 丈 , about 12m) and for the major streets over 8 Jō ( 丈 , about 24m) . Almost all of the streets in present-day Kyoto have become considerably narrower. Suzaku-ōji for example was 28 Jō ( 丈 , about 84m) wide. In addition a river ran alongside Horikawa-koji ( 堀川小路 ) and Nishi Horikawa-koji ( 西堀川小路 ) . In 784 AD emperor Kammu constructed Nagaoka-kyō , moving

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1664-809: The new capital was to be Kadono located between two rivers in the north of Yamashiro, ten kilometers to the northeast of Nagaoka-kyō. It is said that the Emperor Kammu had previously looked out on Kadono from the Shōgun Tsuka in Higashiyama Ward of Kyoto City, deciding then that it was a suitable location for the capital. Emperor Kammu's words are recorded in the Nihon Kiryaku as follows: "Kadono has beautiful mountains and rivers as well as good transport links by sea and land making it convenient for people to assemble there from all four corners of

1716-566: The north side of the hall was an enclosed area where the Emperor would sleep at night; later, Emperors began to use the official residence. The west side was set aside for the Emperor's breakfasts, and also contained the lavatories, while the south side was used by the keeper of the Imperial Archives. This area contained paintings by the masters of the Tosa school , and just outside, various rare bamboos were planted. The original structure

1768-406: The northern limit corresponding to present-day Ichijō-dōri ( 一条通 ) , between Imadegawa-dōri ( 今出川通 ) and Marutamachi-dōri ( 丸太町通 ) , Kyūjō-ōji in the south corresponding to Kujō-dōri ( 九条通 ) slightly to the south of the present-day JR Kyōto Station and Higashi-kyōgoku-ōji in the east corresponding to present-day Teramachi Street (Teramachi-dōri). The location of Nishi-kyōgoku-ōji at

1820-524: The northernmost part of the district. The poor of Heian-kyō began to set up home by the Kamo River , beyond the eastern limits of the city, and on the eastern banks of the river temples and country homes sprung up. So started a tendency for the city to extend out to the east. In 980 AD, at the southern tip of Suzaku-oji the Rajōmon (the grandest of the two city gates) collapsed never to be rebuilt. In this way

1872-539: The oldest and most important buildings in Japan, was destroyed by fire and rebuilt many times over the course of its history. It has been destroyed and rebuilt eight times, six of them during the 250-year-long peace of the Edo period. The version currently standing was completed in 1855, with an attempt at reproducing the Heian period architecture and style of the original dairi of the Heian Palace. The grounds include

1924-474: The original Heian period palace, but in one of the temporary residences ( 里内裏 , sato-dairi ) in this part of the city and often provided to the Emperor by powerful noble families. The present palace is a direct successor—after iterations of rebuilding—to one of these sato-dairi palaces, the Tsuchimikado Dono ( 土御門殿 , Tsuchimikado-dono ) of the Fujiwara clan . The palace, like many of

1976-640: The original borders of Heian-kyō extended out to the east, forming the streets of first medieval and then modern-day Kyoto. With the advent of the Kanto centered Kamakura and Edo shogunates , Heian-kyō began to lose its significance as a seat of power. The greatest decline was during the Muromachi and Sengoku periods when almost half the city was burnt to the ground during the Ōnin war . After this Heian-kyō separated into upper ( Kamigyō ) and lower ( Shimogyō ) cities each becoming places of little note. However,

2028-599: The palace. The Palace is situated in the Kyōto-gyoen ( 京都御苑 ) , a large rectangular enclosure 1,300 metres (4,300 ft) north to south and 700 metres (2,300 ft) east to west. It also contains the Sentō Imperial Palace gardens and the Kyoto State Guest House . The estate dates from the early Edo period when the residence of high court nobles were grouped close together with the palace and

2080-527: The river next to the city. These ports acted as a transit base for collecting in goods from all over the country and for forwarding them on to the city. The goods which arrived in Heian-kyō reached the people by way of one of the two large markets (the East market and the West market.) This arrangement provided a stable supply of food and goods which encouraged population growth. Measures were also taken to guard against

2132-530: The samurai class over the course of three different shogunates , Heian-kyō remained the site of the Imperial Court and seat of Imperial power, and was thus the official capital. Heian-kyō was built in what is now the central part of Kyoto city covering an area spanning the Kadono ( 葛野郡 , Kadono-gun ) and Otagi Districts ( 愛宕郡 , Otagi-gun ) of Yamashiro Province . The city boundaries formed

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2184-473: The second kanji character of Yamashiro from 背 ("back") to 城 ("castle") because the capital looked like a naturally formed "mountain castle" surrounded by the Eastern (Higashiyama), Northern (Kitayama), and Western (Nishiyama) mountains. A movement in favor of returning the capital to Heijō-kyō arose in 810 AD, during a standoff over the emperor's succession. However, Emperor Saga thought that keeping

2236-474: The shrine, Kamo no Nagatsugu ( 鴨長継 ) . From 1871 through 1946, Shimogamo was officially designated one of the Kanpei-taisha ( 官幣大社 ) , meaning that it stood in the first rank of government supported shrines. Today, it is one of the most visited sites during the new year, and the popular national pastime game of kemari is often played by Shinto priests. A shrine structure was erected in 678 during

2288-535: The southern edge of the capital. An imperial garden called Shinsenen ( ja:神泉苑 ) was adjacent to the Daidairi. Note that there were more paths cut short by residences straddling multiple blocks. [REDACTED] In English (major streets and palace only): [REDACTED] The gates of the Daidairi are marked in Japanese Kanji in the above grid, below are the romanization of said gate names alongside

2340-486: The traditionally linked Kamo shrines of Kyoto; Shimogamo is the older of the pair, being believed to be 100 years older than Kamigamo, and dating to the 6th century, centuries before Kyoto became the capital of Japan (794, see Heian-kyō ). The Kamo-jinja serve the function of protecting Kyoto from malign influences. The jinja name identifies the Kamo family of kami or deities who are venerated. The name also refers to

2392-574: The two were to be reunited into one city during the Azuchi–Momoyama period following the ascension of Oda Nobunaga . During the Meiji Revolution , Edo was re-christened Tokyo (becoming the new capital of Japan). Although Heian-kyō lost its status as capital city, it became a backup capital while the emperor was away in Tokyo. Since that time the emperor has not returned to Kyoto. However, at

2444-577: The western limit is estimated as a line running north to south from Hanazono Station on the JR San'in Main Line to Nishi-Kyōgoku Station on the Hankyu Kyoto Line . The layout of Heian-kyō was plotted in accordance with the principles of geomancy as a square city. Jō ( 丈 , about 3.03m) was the basic unit of measurement. 40 sq. jō made a chō ( 町 , 121.2 meters on each side) . The city

2496-458: Was built as a new carriage entrance on the occasion of the enthronement ceremony of Emperor Taisho in 1915. For state ceremonies, the dignitaries would enter through the Kenreimon ( 建礼門 ) , which has a cypress-wood roof, and is supported by four unpainted wooden pillars. This gate would have been used on the rare occasions of the Emperor welcoming a foreign diplomat or dignitary, as well as for many other important state ceremonies. Passing through

2548-504: Was built as the Emperor's residence at the end of the 8th century and was used until the 11th century. The Seiryō-den was rebuilt in this location in 1790 CE, on a smaller scale than the original building but preserving the original structure. The Kogosho ( 小御所 ) is a place where the Emperor received bannermen under the direct control of the Tokugawa shogun ( buke ). It was also used for some rituals. This distinctive building shows

2600-512: Was formally forbidden, with the sole exception of the East and West temples, with the thought that their power might protect the city from natural disaster and disease, and priests such as Kūkai were welcomed, being able men, well versed in Buddhist scripture and with no interest in political power. On 22 October 794 AD, Emperor Kammu arrived at the new city and on 8 November proclaimed, "I hereby name this city Heian-kyō." On 8 November, he changed

2652-504: Was further divided by major streets called ōji ( 大路 ) and minor streets called koji ( 小路 ) . Four lines of chō running east to west (excepting the first 2 rows in the north) were together called a jō ( 条 ) and four lines of chō running from north to south were called a bō ( 坊 ) The Cho which shared the same Jo and Bo were each given a number from 1 to 16. In this way addresses could be identified as follows: "Right Capital, Jō Five, Bō Two, Chō Fourteen" ( 右京五条二坊十四町 ) . The width of even

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2704-519: Was one of several former names for the city now known as Kyoto . It was the official capital of Japan for over one thousand years, from 794 to 1868 with an interruption in 1180. Emperor Kanmu established it as the capital in 794, moving the Imperial Court there from nearby Nagaoka-kyō at the recommendation of his advisor Wake no Kiyomaro and marking the beginning of the Heian period of Japanese history. According to modern scholarship,

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