The Imperial Palace of Kyoto served as the Japanese emperor’s home until 1868 when the capital moved to Edo (now Tokyo). However, it is still used for coronation ceremonies, most recently that of the Showa emperor, Hirohito, in 1926. The palace, constructed of cypress and tile in the Heian style, has been destroyed and rebuilt eight times, the last construction taking place in 1855. It is now managed by the Imperial Household Agency, which grants permits for tours for foreign visitors through an application process. Though we were on an approved tour, our visit also coincided with one of the few days that the gates of the palace are open to the Japanese public.
Special features of the palace include the Shishinden, or Hall of State Ceremonies, that houses the Chrysanthemum Throne (the chrysanthemum is the symbol of the Japanese empire). A sakura tree and a tachibana (orange tree) stand on either side of the entrance to the Shishiden, as symbols of the purity and prosperity of the Japanese empire. Inside, the throne sits on a raised dais that can be separated from the rest of the room by a curtain. We learned from our guide, Kyono, that very few members of the Imperial Court were allowed access to the emperor and almost no one was allowed to make eye contact.
No comments:
Post a Comment