The Kokyo(
皇居) is the Imperial Palace of Japan and the residence of the Emperor of Japan. It is located in Chiyoda, Tokyo.
After the Meiji Restoration and the resignation of Tokugawa Yoshinobu, the last Tokugawa shogun, the Imperial court moved from Kyoto to Tokyo and the former Tokugawa stronghold of Edo castle became the residence of the emperor. From 1888 to 1948, it was called kyūjō (宮城, "palace castle").
It was destroyed during the Second World War by bombing, but was rebuilt in the same style in 1968.
Map of The Imperial Palace grounds
The east entrance to The Imperial Park.
Moat, wall and guard towers surrounds The Imperial Palace.
A swan enjoys a swim in the moat on this hot and humid day.
View across the moat towards The Sakurada Gate.
Imperial Palace East Garden. There could be a great golf course here.
Nijubashi Bridge which leads to the entrance of the private area of the Imperial Palace.
Across The Nijubashi Bridge is a heavy wooden gate guarded by Imperial Palace Guards.
Change of guards.
The bridge, the gate, the guards and moi.
Nijubashi with The Imperial Watchtower Fujimi-yagura (Mt. Fuji-view Keep) in the background.
Sakurada Gate of Edo Castle.
A little history.
Edo castle signified the nucleus of the Tokugawa bakufu (shogunate). One annual ritual involving Edo castle was the convention of attendance at the castle by daimyo (feudal lords). The attendance of the daimyo was an important ritual that confirmed the superior-subordinate relationship between the shogun and daimyo. On the days of certain festivals such as the Five Seasonal Festivals (January 7, March 3, May 5, July 7 and September 9), the first of August as well as on the first day, 15th and last day of every month daimyo formed entourages and headed for the Main Gate (Oote Gate) and inner Sakurada Gate of Edo castle. When they arrived at the gate the daimyo dismounted at an area set aside for dismounting and left behind most of their attendants there before entering the castle compound. Once inside the castle the daimyo reduced their number of retainers again before going to pay their respects to the shogun. The attendants who had been left behind waited for the return of their masters in front of the gate. The areas in front of the Main Gate and the inner Sakurada Gate were crowded with the entourages of the various daimyo and their attendants who awaited their return.
Later in history the so-called "Sakurada-mon-gai-no-Hen" (Sakurada Gate Incident) of 1860, in which a high Shogunate official named Ii Naosuke was assassinated by a group of anti-Shogunate terrorists. Ii's murder marked the beginning of the end for the Tokugawa Shogunate.
Folding screen depicting scenes
of the attendance of daimyo at Edo castle crossing a bridge to Sakaruda Gate.
Ornamental roof of The Sakurada Gate.
View from inside The Sakurada Gate towards The National Diet of Japan. The gate is constructed with 2 gates and a yard between them. This construction is called a masugata.
Exiting The Imperial Park through The Sakurada Gate.
Plaque with map over The Imperial Palace.
View of Sakurada Moat from Uchibori-Dori.
The big news when I was in Tokyo was the birth of Prince Hisahito, the first male heir to the Japanese throne to be born in more than 40 years, on the 6th of September. TV news was going crazy that morning with breaking news. Amidst all the bowing and conversation on TV, I only understood from the pictures of the imperial family (Prince Akishino, Princess Kiko and their two daughters) was increased by a newborn child. Not until later in the day I learned it was a boy and this event had ended "a succession crisis" which threatened the oldest monarchy in the world.
The Japanese celebrated with free sake in the streets and department stores handed out gifts to its customers. I missed that. When you don't understand the lingo your bound to miss out on things.
Asakusa
