Tokyo Imperial Palace

The Imperial Palace(Hoàng cư,Kōkyo,lit. 'Imperial Residence')is the main residence of theEmperor of Japan.It is a largepark-like area located in theChiyodadistrict of theChiyoda wardofTokyoand contains several buildings including theFukiage Palace(Thổi thượng ngự sở,Fukiage gosho)where the Emperor has his living quarters, the main palace(Cung điện,Kyūden)where various ceremonies and receptions take place, some residences of theImperial Family,an archive, museums and administrative offices.

The Imperial Palace
Hoàng cư
Seimon Ishibashibridge, which leads to the main gate of the Imperial Palace
Former names	Edo Castle
General information
Classification	ImperialPalace,theImperial Household Agency,Three Palace Sanctuariessuch as theimperial familyhousing area of related facilities
Address	1-1 Chiyoda, Chiyoda-ku 100-0001 Tokyo
Town or city	Tokyo
Country	Japan
Coordinates	35.6825°N 139.7521°E/35.6825; 139.7521
Grounds	Circa 1.15 km2(0.44 sq mi) (Imperial Household Agency management part) Circa 2.30 km2(0.89 sq mi) (total area, includingKokyo Gaien National Garden)

The 1.15-square-kilometer (0.44 sq mi) palace grounds and gardens are built on the site of the oldEdo Castle.

History

Edo castle

Main article:Edo Castle

TheKyūdenshortly after its completion in the late 1800s

Aerial photo of theKyūdenaround 1935

Kenanfu,Tokyo Imperial Palace

After the capitulation of theshogunateand theMeiji Restoration,the inhabitants, including the ShōgunTokugawa Yoshinobu,were required to vacate the premises of theEdo Castle.Leaving theKyoto Imperial Palaceon 26 November 1868, the Emperor arrived at the Edo Castle, made it to his new residence and renamed it to Tōkei Castle(Đông Kinh thành,Tōkei-jō).At this time, Tōkyō had also been called Tōkei. He left for Kyōto again, and after coming back on 9 May 1869, it was renamed to Imperial Castle(Hoàng thành,Kōjō).

Previous fires had destroyed the Honmaru area containing the olddonjon(which itself burned in the1657 Meireki fire). On the night of 5 May 1873, a fire consumed the Nishinomaru Palace (formerly the shōgun's residence), and the new imperial Palace Castle(Cung thành,Kyūjō)was constructed on the site in 1888. The castle has many gardens.

June, 1902. Tokyo Imperial Palace

Imperial Palace in Tokyo 1908

A non-profit "Rebuilding Edo-jo Association"(NPO pháp nhân giang hộ thành lại kiến)was founded in 2004 with the aim of a historically correct reconstruction of at least the main donjon. In March 2013, Naotaka Kotake, head of the group, said that "the capital city needs a symbolic building", and that the group planned to collect donations and signatures on a petition in support of rebuilding the tower. A reconstruction blueprint had been made based on old documents. TheImperial Household Agencyat the time had not indicated whether it would support the project.

The old palace

In theMeiji period,most structures from the Edo Castle disappeared. Some were cleared to make way for other buildings, while others were destroyed by earthquakes and fire. For example, the wooden double bridges(Nhị trọng kiều,Nijūbashi)over the moat were replaced with stone and iron bridges. The buildings of the Imperial Palace constructed in the Meiji era were constructed of wood. Their design employed traditionalJapanese architecturein their exterior appearance while the interiors were an eclectic mixture of fashionable Japanese and European elements. The ceilings of the grand chambers were coffered with Japanese elements; however, Western chairs, tables and heavy curtains furnished the spaces. The floors of the public rooms hadparquetsor carpets, while the residential spaces used traditionaltatamimats.

The main audience hall was the central part of the palace. It was the largest building in the compound. Guests were received there for public events. The floor space was more than 223tsuboor approximately 737.25 m²(7,935.7 sq ft). In the interior, the coffered ceiling was traditional Japanese-style, while the floor was parquetry. The roof was styled similarly to the Kyoto Imperial Palace, but was covered with (fireproof) copper plates rather thanJapanese cypressshingles.

In the late Taishō and early Shōwa period, more concrete buildings were added, such as the headquarters of theImperial Household Ministryand thePrivy Council.These structures exhibited only token Japanese elements.

From 1888 to 1948, the compound was called Palace Castle(Cung thành,Kyūjō).On the night of 25 May 1945, most structures of the Imperial Palace were destroyed in theAllied firebombing raid on Tokyo.According to the US bomber pilot Richard Lineberger, the Emperor's Palace was the target of theirspecial missionon July 29, 1945, and was hit with 2000-pound bombs.In August 1945, in the closing days of the Pacific War,Emperor Hirohitomet with his Privy Council and made decisions culminating in thesurrender of Japanat an underground air-raid shelter on the palace grounds referred to as His Majesty's Library(Ngự kho sách phụ thuộc thất,Obunko Fuzokushitsu).

Due to the large-scale destruction of the Meiji-era palace, a new main palace hall(Cung điện,Kyūden)and residences were constructed on the western portion of the site in 1964–1968, designed by architectJunzō Yoshimura.The area was renamed Imperial Residence(Hoàng cư,Kōkyo)in 1948, while the eastern part was renamed East Garden(Đông ngự uyển,Higashi-Gyoen)and became a public park in 1968.

Interior images of the Meiji-era palace

• 
  Higashidamari-no-Ma
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  Chigusa-no-Ma
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  Hōmei-Den
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  Kiri-no-Ma
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  Nishidamari-no-Ma
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  Throne hall

Present palace

Map of the Imperial Palace and surrounding gardens

The present Imperial Palace encompasses the retrenchments of the former Edo Castle. The modernKyūden(Cung điện)designed for various imperial court functions and receptions is located in the oldNishinomarusection of the palace grounds. Thekyūdenwas completed in 1968 and put into use in April 1969. It was built with the traditional Japanese architectural beauty of a large roof and columns and beams, and most of its building materials are of domestic origin. It has a total area of 24,175 square meters and consists of seven wings.On a much more modest scale, theFukiage Palace(Thổi thượng ngự sở,Fukiage gosho),the official residence of the Emperor and empress, is located in the Fukiage Garden. Designed by Japanese architectShōzō Uchiithe modern residence was completed in 1993.The residence is currently in use by Emperor Naruhito.

Except for theImperial Household Agencyand the East Gardens, the main grounds of the palace are generally closed to the public, except for reserved guided tours from Tuesdays to Saturdays (which access only the Kyūden Totei Plaza in front of the Chowaden). EachNew Year(January 2) andEmperor's Birthday(February 23), the public is permitted to enter through the Nakamon (inner gate) where they gather in the Kyūden Totei Plaza. The Imperial Family appears on the balcony before the crowd and the Emperor normally gives a short speech greeting and thanking the visitors and wishing them good health and blessings. Parts of the Fukiage garden are sometimes open to the general public.

The oldHonmaru,Ninomaru,andSannomarucompounds now comprise the East Gardens, an area with public access containing administrative and other public buildings.

TheKitanomaru Parkis located to the north and is the former northernenceinteof Edo Castle. It is apublic parkand is the site of theNippon Budokan.To the south isKokyo Gaien National Garden.

Though much of the site is off limits to the public, there have been multiple instances of tourists attempting to trespass on the palace grounds by swimming in the moat. In 2008, a British tourist stripped naked, repeatedly dove into and swam across the moat in an attempt to avoid being arrested, and used stones and a plastic pole as weapons when faced by staff and local police officers.A similar incident took place in 2013, in which two drunken tourists decided to try to sneak into the palace building after removing their clothing and entering the water nearSakurada Gate.

Grounds

Kyūden

Aerial image of the Kyūden

Chōwaden Reception Hall,the largest structure of the palace

EmperorNaruhitogreets the public at theChōwaden Reception Hallfollowing his accession in 2019

Map of the Kyūden

The Imperial Palace(Cung điện,Kyūden)and the headquarters of theImperial Household Agencyare located in the former Nishinomaru enceinte (West Citadel) of the Edo Castle.

The main buildings of the palace grounds, including the Kyūden(Cung điện)main palace, home of the liaison conference of theImperial General Headquarters,were severely damaged by the fire of May 1945. Today's palace consists of multiple modern structures that are interconnected. The palace complex was finished in 1968 and was constructed of steel-framedreinforced concretestructures produced domestically, with two stories above ground and one story below. The buildings of the Imperial Palace were constructed by theTakenaka Corporationin a modernist style with clear Japanese architectural references such as the large, gabled hipped roof, columns and beams.

The complex consists of six wings, including:

• SeidenState Function Hall
• HōmeidenState Banquet Hall
• Chōwaden Reception Hall
• RensuiDining Room
• Chigusa ChidoriDrawing Room and
• The Emperor's work office

Halls include theMinami-Damari,Nami-no-Ma,multiple corridors,Kita-Damari,Shakkyō-no-Ma,Shunju-no-Ma,Seiden-Sugitoe (Kaede),Seiden-Sugitoe (Sakura),Take-no-Ma,Ume-no-MaandMatsu-no-Ma.FamousNihongaartists such asMaeda Seisonwere commissioned to paint the artworks.

The Kyūden is used for both receiving state guests and holding official state ceremonies and functions. The Matsu-no-Ma (Pine Chamber) is the throne room. The Emperor gives audiences to thePrime Ministerin this room, as well as appointing or dismissing ambassadors andMinisters of State.It is also the room where the Prime Minister andChief Justiceisappointedto office.

Fukiage Garden

The Fukiage Garden has carried the name since the Edo period and is used as the residential area for theImperial Family.

TheFukiage Palace(Thổi thượng ngự sở,Fukiage gosho),achieved in 1993, was used as the primary residence ofAkihitofrom December 8, 1993, to March 2020. After a period of refurbishment,Naruhito,MasakoandAikomoved in in September 2021.

The Fukiage Ōmiya Palace(Thổi thượng đại cung ngự sở,Fukiage Ōmiya-gosho)in the northern section was originally the residence of Emperor Showa andEmpress Kōjunand was called theFukiage Palace.After the Emperor's death in 1989, the palace was renamed theFukiage Ōmiya Palaceand was the residence of the Empress Dowager until her death in 2000.It is currently not in use.

The palace precincts include theThree Palace Sanctuaries(Trong cung tam điện,Kyūchū-sanden).Parts of theImperial Regalia of Japanare kept here and the sanctuary plays a religious role inimperial enthronementsand weddings.

East Gardens

Main article:Imperial Palace East Garden

The East Gardens is where most of the administrative buildings for the palace are located and encompasses the former Honmaru and Ninomaru areas of Edo Castle, a total of 210,000 m²(2,300,000 sq ft). Located on the grounds of the East Gardens is the ImperialTokagakudoMusic Hall, the Music Department of the Board of Ceremonies of the Imperial Household, the Archives and Mausolea Department Imperial Household Agency, structures for the guards such as theSaineikandojo,and theMuseum of the Imperial Collections.

Several structures that were added since the Meiji period were removed over time to allow construction of the East Garden. In 1932, thekuretake-ryōwas built as a dormitory for imperial princesses, however this building was removed prior to the construction of the present gardens. Other buildings such as stables and housing were removed to create the East Garden in its present configuration.

Construction work began in 1961 with a new pond in the Ninomaru, as well as the repair and restoration of various keeps and structures from the Edo period. On 30 May 1963, the area was declared by the Japanese government a "Special Historic Relic" under the Cultural Properties Protection Law.

Tōkagakudō (Music Hall)

Tōkagakudō(Music Hall)

TheTōkagakudō(Đào hoa lặc đường,Peach Blossom Music Hall)is located to the east of the former main donjon of Edo Castle in the Honmaru. Designed byKenji Imai,this music hall was built in commemoration of the 60th birthday ofEmpress Kōjunon 6 March 1963. The ferro-concrete building covers a total area of 1,254 m²(13,500 sq ft). The hall is octagon-shaped and each of its eight outer walls is decorated with differently designed mosaic tiles. Construction began in August 1964 and was completed in February 1966.

Ninomaru Garden

Symbolic trees representing each prefecture in Japan are planted in the northwestern corner of Ninomaru enceinte. Such trees have been donated from each prefecture and there are total of 260, covering 30 varieties.

The small Ninomaru Garden at the foot of the castle hill was originally planted in 1636 byKobori Enshu,a famed landscape artist and garden designer, but it was destroyed by fire in 1867. The current layout was created in 1968, based on a plan drawn up during the reign of ninth shogun,Tokugawa Ieshige.

Suwano-chayaTea House

Suwa no Chaya

TheSuwa no Chaya(Tưu phóng の trà phòng)is ateahousethat was located in the Fukiage Garden during the Edo period. It moved to theAkasaka Palaceafter the Meiji restoration, but was reconstructed in its original location in 1912.

It was moved to its present location during the construction of the East Garden.

Kitanomaru

TheKitanomaru Parkis located to the north and is the former northernenceinteof Edo Castle. It is apublic parkand is the site ofNippon Budokan Hall.

This garden contains a bronze monument toPrince Kitashirakawa Yoshihisa(Bắc bạch xuyên cung có thể lâu thân vương,Kitashirakawa-no-miya Yoshihisa-shinnō).

Kōkyo-gaien

Main article:Kokyo Gaien National Garden

TheKokyo Gaien National Gardenconsists of outer gardens that ring the Imperial Palace. It contain bronze monuments toKusunoki Masashige(Gỗ nam chính thành)and toWake no Kiyomaro(Cùng khí thanh ma Lữ).

Gallery

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  The Imperial Palace and the Imperial Household Agency
• 
  Seimon Ishibashi bridge
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  Ote-mon gate and main entrance to the East Garden
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  Imperial Palace moat and guard tower
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  Imperial Palace front entrance field with Chiyoda office buildings in the background
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  Building of theImperial Household Agencyon the grounds of the Imperial Palace
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  Suwa no chaya teahouse in the Ninomaru Garden
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  Saineikan dōjō for the guards
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  Building of the former Privy Council in the East Garden area, one of the few buildings from the pre-war Showa period
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  New ambassadors arrive at the palace to hand in their accreditation to the Emperor to be picked up from Tokyo Station either in a limousine or the carriage.
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  Music Department of the Board of Ceremonies
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  Museum of the Imperial Collections
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  Archives and Mausolea Department
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  The moat of the Imperial Palace in spring
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  Public walkway, Edo East Garden
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  Moat of the Imperial Palace
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  Meeting between EmperorNaruhitoand U.S. PresidentDonald Trumpwith First LadyMelania TrumpandEmpress Masako
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  One of the entrances for supporting staff buildings
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  Fujimi-yagura (Mt Fuji-view keep), guard building within the inner grounds of the Imperial Palace
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  Pond in the East Garden
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  Mounted Imperial Police around the Imperial Palace

External links

• Imperial Household Agency | Imperial Palace in Tokyo
• Image gallery of the Imperial Palace
• Imperial Palace Map
• Information on visiting the Imperial Palace on the Emperor's birthday