Kyoto Gyoen
(Source: active-u / PIXTA)
Gosho: residences of imperial families and courtiers
Gosho are the residences of the imperial families and high ranking officials in court. In the park, along with the huge garden, remain Kyoto Gosho, Sento Gosho and Omiya Gosho, all of which used to be the actual residences until the capital was transferred to Tokyo.
(Source: kenta57 / PIXTA)
Hamaguri Gomon: an insight into history
One of the gates to the park is called Hamaguri Gomon (literally translating to Gate of Clams) and its purpose was to segregate the living quarters of the imperial families and courtiers from those of the common people. This securely closed gate opened its door for the first time when a fire broke out in Gosho in 1788, when locals started calling it “Hamaguri Gomon” comparing it to clams popping out from inside their shells when heated. The gate portrays a long history and it even has an old scar made by a bullet during a war.
(Source: ばるんくん / PIXTA)
Okurumayose
Okurumayose, literally meaning “the place to draw a car/carriage,” is equal to our modern-day driveway/entrance to the house. It also served as an official entrance for the guests that were granted an audience by the emperor. The new version called “shin-okurumayose” was later added to accommodate the automobile that drove the Taisho Emperor to his enthronement ceremony in 1912.
(Source: JACK SWING / PIXTA)
Shodaibu no Ma
Shodaibu no Ma was a hall which functioned as a waiting area for those making official visits to the court. The hall consisted of smaller rooms and in the descending order of its class, they were called “Tora no ma (tiger room),” “Tsuru no ma (crane room),” and “Sakura no ma (cherry room)” after the illustration on fusuma (sliding doors made with thick papers) and all three were collectively referred to as “Shodaibu no Ma” implying a room/hall for middle to lower classes serving the court.
(Source: YSV / PIXTA)
Shishinden
This is a main building in Kyoto’s Imperial Palace that served as a venue for many important events such as those celebrating enthronement and the attainment of adulthood for Meiji, Taisho and Showa emperors, as well as seasonal banquets. The inner part of the building holds seatings for the emperor and empress.
(Source: ふくいのりすけ / PIXTA)
Three beautiful Japanese-style gardens
There are three beautiful Japanese gardens on the grounds. Oike-niwa exhibits perfectly calculated beauty viewed from any angle. Kemari no Niwa was designed specifically for its namesake, a type of football played by courtiers in ancient times. Gonaitei is adjoined to a tearoom. All three gardens appear as if they came right out of beautiful drawings.
(Source: JACK SWING / PIXTA)
Plum Grove: a renowned site for viewing plum blossoms
200 plum trees are planted to make up this grove. Its reputation as a wonderful place to view plum blossoms attracts many visitors. Compared to cherry blossoms, plum blossoms are often considered humbler in appearance and emanate a fresh scent, which makes strolling in or along the grove enjoyable in its own unique way. In addition to red and white plums, there is another rare breed called “As you wish” which bears flowers in multiple colors on a single tree.
(Source: Risa / PIXTA)
(Source: active-u / PIXTA)
Gosho: residences of imperial families and courtiers
Gosho are the residences of the imperial families and high ranking officials in court. In the park, along with the huge garden, remain Kyoto Gosho, Sento Gosho and Omiya Gosho, all of which used to be the actual residences until the capital was transferred to Tokyo.
(Source: kenta57 / PIXTA)
Hamaguri Gomon: an insight into history
One of the gates to the park is called Hamaguri Gomon (literally translating to Gate of Clams) and its purpose was to segregate the living quarters of the imperial families and courtiers from those of the common people. This securely closed gate opened its door for the first time when a fire broke out in Gosho in 1788, when locals started calling it “Hamaguri Gomon” comparing it to clams popping out from inside their shells when heated. The gate portrays a long history and it even has an old scar made by a bullet during a war.
(Source: ばるんくん / PIXTA)
Okurumayose
Okurumayose, literally meaning “the place to draw a car/carriage,” is equal to our modern-day driveway/entrance to the house. It also served as an official entrance for the guests that were granted an audience by the emperor. The new version called “shin-okurumayose” was later added to accommodate the automobile that drove the Taisho Emperor to his enthronement ceremony in 1912.
(Source: JACK SWING / PIXTA)
Shodaibu no Ma
Shodaibu no Ma was a hall which functioned as a waiting area for those making official visits to the court. The hall consisted of smaller rooms and in the descending order of its class, they were called “Tora no ma (tiger room),” “Tsuru no ma (crane room),” and “Sakura no ma (cherry room)” after the illustration on fusuma (sliding doors made with thick papers) and all three were collectively referred to as “Shodaibu no Ma” implying a room/hall for middle to lower classes serving the court.
(Source: YSV / PIXTA)
Shishinden
This is a main building in Kyoto’s Imperial Palace that served as a venue for many important events such as those celebrating enthronement and the attainment of adulthood for Meiji, Taisho and Showa emperors, as well as seasonal banquets. The inner part of the building holds seatings for the emperor and empress.
(Source: ふくいのりすけ / PIXTA)
Three beautiful Japanese-style gardens
There are three beautiful Japanese gardens on the grounds. Oike-niwa exhibits perfectly calculated beauty viewed from any angle. Kemari no Niwa was designed specifically for its namesake, a type of football played by courtiers in ancient times. Gonaitei is adjoined to a tearoom. All three gardens appear as if they came right out of beautiful drawings.
(Source: JACK SWING / PIXTA)
Plum Grove: a renowned site for viewing plum blossoms
200 plum trees are planted to make up this grove. Its reputation as a wonderful place to view plum blossoms attracts many visitors. Compared to cherry blossoms, plum blossoms are often considered humbler in appearance and emanate a fresh scent, which makes strolling in or along the grove enjoyable in its own unique way. In addition to red and white plums, there is another rare breed called “As you wish” which bears flowers in multiple colors on a single tree.
(Source: Risa / PIXTA)
