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Once a symbol of eloquence, the Tenshukaku Tower Site is now all that remains of the dreams of prosperity for the Tokugawa family |
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Located back on the west side of the castle grounds, the Honmaru Palace is surrounded by an inner moat and covers 16,800 square meters. In 1626, the 3rd Tokugawa Shogun, Tokugawa Iemitsu, constructed the original five-storied Tenshukaku Tower and a personal residence comprised of four buildings. However in 1750, lightning struck the Tenshukaku Tower and in 1788, the residence was partly destroyed by a raging city-wide fire.
Long ago, the Tenshukaku Tower towered over the castle grounds. It is said that the Emperor Gomizuno-o and the shogun climbed to the top of the tower and enjoyed the view of the capital. Even from the present Tenshukaku tower site, you can still look out over the whole city of Kyoto, all the way to the giant Chinese character "Dai" (meaning large) carved in a hill to the east.
In addition, built in the sukiya style (a residential style of construction incorporating elements of the teahouses of Japan), the present Honmaru Palace was originally a part of the Katsura Imperial Palace which was constructed in 1847 and transferred from the Kyoto Gosho (Kyoto Imperial Palace) to the present location in 1893 and 1894.
The construction of the Honmaru Garden was completed in 1896. Starting with the karesansui style (stones and gravel employed to depict hills and water), the garden underwent a series of reformations, reaching its present configuration in the artificial grass-covered miniature hill landscape garden style, complete with curving road running through the garden and a mound forming a small terrace for moon viewing. The result is a garden that is a sight for sore eyes. |
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An external view of the Honmaru Palace,
an important cultural property |
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| The Tenshukaku Tower Site |
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