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45-592: The Imperial Family of Japan previously had residences in several locations within Kanagawa Prefecture: The Hayama Imperial Villa was acquired by the Imperial Household Agency in 1894. It is located on the east bank of Sagami Bay in central Miura Peninsula , just south of Kamakura. The villa was a favorite of Emperor Taishō and he often visited to convalesce from his illnesses and to escape from

90-480: 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

135-492: 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

180-658: A closely approximating curriculum vitae (e.g., Superintendent General of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department ), after having served as Vice-Grand Steward. 35°41′02″N 139°45′14″E  /  35.684°N 139.754°E  / 35.684; 139.754 Kyoto Imperial Palace The Kyōto Imperial Palace ( 京都御所 , Kyōto-gosho ) is the former palace of the Emperor of Japan , located in Kamigyō-ku , Kyoto , Japan . Since

225-675: A downgraded version of the ministry, was created pursuant to Imperial Household Office Law ( 宮内府法 ) Law No. 70 of 1947 during the American Occupation of Japan . Its number of staff was downscaled from 6,200 to less than 1,500, and the Office was placed under the Prime Minister of Japan . In 1949, Imperial Household Office was renamed to the Imperial Household Agency, and placed under the fold of

270-486: 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

315-674: A more approachable, populist monarchy. In May 2004, Crown Prince Naruhito criticised the then-Grand Steward of the Imperial Household, Toshio Yuasa , for putting pressure on Crown Princess Masako , Naruhito 's wife, to bear a male child. At a press conference, Naruhito stated that his wife had "completely exhausted herself" trying to adapt to the Imperial family's life, and added "there were developments that denied Masako 's career (up to our marriage) as well as her personality." It has officially been stated that Masako

360-623: 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

405-579: 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

450-404: 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

495-456: 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 )

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540-686: Is an agency of the government of Japan in charge of state matters concerning the Imperial Family , and the keeping of the Privy Seal and State Seal of Japan . From around the 8th century AD until the Second World War, it was known as the Imperial Household Ministry ( 宮内省 , Kunai-shō ) . The Agency is unique among conventional government agencies and ministries in that it does not directly report to

585-458: 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,

630-719: Is responsible for keeping the Privy Seal and State Seal of Japan . The Grand Master of the Board of the Crown Prince's Household helps manage the schedules, dining menus, and household maintenance of the Crown Prince and his family. The Imperial Household Agency traces its origins back to institutions established by the Taihō Code (or more formally, "The Ritsuryō Code of the Taihō period " ( 大宝律令 , Taihō Ritsuryō ) ) promulgated in 701–702 AD. The Ritsuryō system established

675-596: 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 the area walled. When

720-518: Is subject to the Emperor's approval (Article 8-2). The Grand Steward is vested with comprehensive control over administrative activities within the Agency, and supervisory authority over the service performance of the staff (8–3). He is empowered to interact with the Prime Minister on matters pertaining to the Agency's authorized duties, either requesting the issuance of Cabinet Office ordinances (8–3), or notifying him on pertinent matters (8–4). He has

765-463: Is suffering from an " adjustment disorder ", but there has been extensive speculation in the press that she is suffering from clinical depression as a result of her treatment by Imperial Household officials. Increasingly in recent years, the Agency's prevention of archaeological research regarding a large number (more than 740) of Kofun Period tombs claimed to be and designated as "Imperial" has come under criticism from academics. The tombs, located in

810-630: The Imperial mausolea  [ ja ] under the Office of Imperial Mausolea ( 諸陵寮 ) , one of the tasks designated to the Agency today. Meanwhile, the Meiji government created the Board of Ceremonies ( 式部局 , Shikibu-kyoku ) in 1871, which was soon renamed Bureau of Ceremonies ( 式部寮 , Shikibu-ryō) in 1872. Also in 1872, the Ministry of Divinities was abolished, with the bulk of duties moved to

855-598: The Kansai region of western Japan, are considered by many academics as potentially holding important historical information on the origins of Japanese civilization; however, the possibility that these potential finds could verify or further solidify theories of formative civilizational ties with contemporary civilizations in China and the Korean Peninsula , with these civilizations potentially having as much influence on

900-786: 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

945-465: 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

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990-668: The Meiji Restoration in 1869, the Emperors have resided at the Tokyo Imperial Palace , while the preservation of the Kyoto Imperial Palace was ordered in 1877. Today, the grounds are open to the public, and the Imperial Household Agency hosts public tours of the buildings several times a day. The Kyoto Imperial Palace is the latest of the imperial palaces built in the northeastern part of

1035-939: The Ministry of Religion ( 教部省 , "Department (Ministry) of Religion and Education" ) and the administration of formal ceremonial functions transferred to the aforementioned Board/Bureau of the Ceremonies. The Bureau of the Ceremonies was initially placed under the care of the Great Council of State ( 太政官 , Dajō kan ) , but was later transferred to the control of the Imperial Household Ministry in September 1877. The Bureau underwent yet another name change to Board of Ceremonies ( 式部職 , Shikibu-shoku ) in October 1884. Since then,

1080-465: The Prime Minister at the cabinet level, nor is it affected by legislation that establishes it as an Independent Administrative Institution . The Imperial Household Agency is headed by its director-general, assisted by the deputy director, appointed by the Cabinet. Its main organizational positions are: The current Director-General is Yasuhiko Nishimura . The Agency's headquarters is located in

1125-473: 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

1170-455: The Agency's Music Department ( 楽部 , gakubu ) . The basic structures remained in place until the Meiji Restoration (1868). The early Meiji government officially installed the Imperial Household Ministry ( 宮内省 , Kunai shō ) on 15 August 1869. Though the names are occasionally differentiated in English as the "Imperial Household Agency", versus the former, Meiji period "Ministry of

1215-558: The Imperial Household", both names are rendered with no differentiation in Japanese. However, there is a convoluted history of reorganization around how the government bodies that correspond to constituent subdivisions of the current Agency were formed or empowered during this period. The Department of Shinto Affairs ( 神祇官 , Jingi kan ) and later the Ministry of Divinities ( 神祇省 , Jingi shō ) (1871–1872) were briefly established, having been placed in charge of, for example,

1260-819: The Tokyo Imperial Palace, the Kyoto Imperial Palace , the Katsura Detached Palace , and other residences and locations falling under its remit. The Agency is responsible for the health, security and travel arrangements of the Imperial family, including maintaining the Imperial line. The Board of the Chamberlains, headed by the Grand Chamberlain , manages the daily life of the Emperor and the Empress , and

1305-1051: The area. The villa was burned down in 1971 in an act of arson and was rebuilt as a one-story building of western architectural design. A portion of the grounds was donated to the town of Hayama at that time, and is now the Hayama Shiosai Park, with a traditional Japanese garden and teahouse , and a small museum displaying part of Emperor Hirohito’s collection of marine specimens from Sagami Bay. 35°15′40.5″N 139°34′41.4″E  /  35.261250°N 139.578167°E  / 35.261250; 139.578167 Imperial Household Agency Naruhito [REDACTED] Fumihito [REDACTED] Shigeru Ishiba ( LDP ) Second Ishiba Cabinet ( LDP – Komeito coalition ) [REDACTED] [REDACTED] Fukushiro Nukaga Kōichirō Genba [REDACTED] Masakazu Sekiguchi Hiroyuki Nagahama Saburo Tokura Kazuo Ueda The Imperial Household Agency ( 宮内庁 , Kunai-chō ) (IHA)

1350-727: The authorization to hand down orders or directives to staff members of government organs under the agency's direct control (8–6), and may request the Commissioner General of the National Police Agency to take appropriate measures regarding administrative duties that involve the civilian Imperial Guard ( 皇宮警察 , Kōgū Keisatsu ) . The Grand Stewardship is a post customarily filled by former administrative vice-ministers  [ ja ] (≒ permanent secretaries ) at one of several internal affairs (home affairs) type ministries and agencies, or someone with

1395-468: 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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1440-540: 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

1485-419: 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

1530-413: The grounds of the Tokyo Imperial Palace . The Agency's duties and responsibilities encompass the daily activities of the Imperial household, such as state visits , organised events, preservation of traditional culture and administrative functions, amongst other responsibilities. The Agency is responsible for the various Imperial residences located throughout Japan, and organises guided tours for visitors to

1575-656: The name has remained unchanged and is, today, headed by the Master of Ceremonies. An Imperial Order in 1908 confirmed that the Imperial Household Minister, as the chief official was then called, held responsible for assisting the Emperor in all matters concerning the Imperial House. The ministry also oversaw the official appointments of Imperial Household Artists and commissioned their work. The Imperial Household Office ( 宮内府 , Kunai-fu ) ,

1620-519: The namesake Ministry of the Imperial Household ( 宮内省 , Kunai shō ) , a precursor to the present agency; the former code also gave rise to the Ministry of Ceremonial ( 式部省 , Shikibu shō ) , which has its legacy in the Board of Ceremonies ( 式部職 , Shikibu shoku ) under the current agency, and the Ministry of Civil Administration ( 治部省 , Jibu shō ) which oversaw the Bureau of Music ( 雅楽寮 , Uta ryō ) that would now correspond to

1665-540: The newly created Prime Minister's Office ( 総理府 , Sōrifu ) , as an external agency attached to it. In 2001, the Imperial Household Agency was organizationally re-positioned under the Cabinet Office ( 内閣府 , Naikakufu ) . The Agency has been criticized for isolating members of the Imperial Family from the Japanese public, and for insisting on stiffly preserved customs, rather than permitting

1710-566: 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

1755-471: 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 the palace. The Palace

1800-591: 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

1845-529: 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

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1890-523: The origins of the Imperial Household itself, is generally considered to be a considerable contributing factor to the ongoing prevention of archaeological research at these sites by the Imperial Household Agency, with a large number of the tombs considered by some to be imperial only in name. The Imperial Household Agency is headed by the Grand Steward ( Imperial Household Agency Law  [ ja ] , Article 8-1), whose appointment or dismissal

1935-708: The stresses of his official duties in Tokyo. Emperor Taishō died at the Hayama Imperial Villa in December 1926. The villa was subsequently used by Emperor Shōwa, who also built a marine biology laboratory on its grounds. Research from the laboratory has resulted in a number of technical monographs. The Imperial Family traditionally uses the Hayama residence in February–March, the season when few tourists visit

1980-458: 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

2025-504: 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

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