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). Her son, Prince Tsunesada (825–84), became the first abbot—Daikaku-ji is a monzeki temple, in which the abbots are always of imperial or aristocratic lineage. The temple adopted the doctrines of Shingon Buddhism, a sect founded by the monk Kukai (774–835). Also known as Kobo Daishi, Kukai had studied esoteric Buddhism in China, but upon returning to Japan earlier than expected found himself unwelcome in Kyoto. In 809 he was ordered to remain sequestered in a temple on Mount Takao, northwest of Kyoto. That same year Emperor Saga ascended to the throne and became a friend and supporter of Kukai, eventually returning him to public prominence.
Emperor Saga and his guests often went boating on Osawano-ike, the adjacent artificial lake. Its form was inspired by Lake Dongting in China’s Hunan province, said to be the origin of dragon boating, and indeed dragon boating still takes place here today during the October moon-viewing parties. Thanks to Emperor Saga’s cultural and aesthetic inclinations, Daikaku-ji has long been renowned as a site of cultural creativity as much as religious faith. He is said to have been the inventor of ikebana flower arrangement, and there is a prominent international ikebana school dedicated to his style, called Saga Goryu. Daikaku-ji was destroyed by fire in 1338 and rebuilt at a reduced size, then significantly altered in 1626 when Emperor Go-Mizunoo (1596–1680) relocated his own imperial hall of state to become the new main hall for the temple. Richly decorated, the temple still manifests the influence of shinden- style architecture and garden design.
Named Murasameno-roka (Corridor of Passing Showers), this zigzag-shaped exterior corridor is intended to evoke the shape of a thunderbolt. All of the exterior veranda floors are constructed using a technique known as uguisubari, which causes them to sound like chirping birds when walked on.
Looking across the veranda of the Miedo hall, built in 1925. In the background is the Shinden, a building donated to the temple by Emperor Go-Mizunoo in 1626.
Looking across the central courtyard, with the Miedo on the left, the Godaido hall on the right, and the Goreiden hall in the middle.
Located in the Shinden, this Momoyama Period painting, called “Kohakubai-zu” (Red and White Plum Blossoms), is by Kano Sanraku (1559–1635).
Also located in the Shinden, this is a detail of “Nosagizu” (Hares) by Shiko Watanabe (1683–1755). The full work depicts nineteen hares across twelve panels.
The interior of the Shoshinden looking through to the Jodan-no-ma, the room from which Retired Emperor Go-Uda exercised clandestine political power.
The Botan-no-ma (Peony Room) of the Shinden, in which eighteen fusuma panels are covered with reproductions of paintings of peonies by Kano Sanraku (1559–1635).
for official ceremonies. Constructed in 2005, the Geihinkan, or Kyoto State Guest House, is an outstanding example of modernized sukiya architecture.
