The Imperial Palace (宮城, Miyagi?) is an estate that serves as the residence of the Imperial family.
Description[]
The Imperial Palace is located in the heart of the Imperial Capital and has a unique ambiance that sets it apart from the rest of the city. Unlike the bustling downtown, the area boasts fewer pedestrians and there are hardly any variety in appearance in architecture, with few buildings blending Western and Japanese styles. It is predominantly characterized by large corporate buildings, and the people walking on the road are mostly office workers wearing suits, contributing to an overall atmosphere of serenity and stability.[1]
The plot of land is enclosed by a protective wall with an outer gate that marks the demarcation between the palace and the outside world.[1] This gate is diligently protected by gatekeepers who do not possess the Gift.[2] Visitors can temporarily park their car against the wall near the gate. After entering the palace from the gate, visitors have to cross a huge bridge first. The width of the bridge can easily accommodate two cars passing at the same time. If the length is converted into steps, it will be about one hundred and twenty steps long.[1] Underneath the bridge, there is a wide and deep moat that envelops the palace.[3] The water inside this moat is turbid green and the bottom cannot be seen clearly. After crossing the bridge, another gate appears in front of you. This inner gate serves as the main entrance to the palace grounds.[1]
After passing through the inner gate, the hinterland behind it is divided into multiple areas by trenches, ponds and other water bodies or defensive walls to defend against invasion by foreign enemies. The entire palace grounds resemble a small town. The grounds have neatly paved roads and many courtyards. In the spring or summer, the garden is filled with beautiful flowers, plants and trees, and one can see a colorful and moving scenery.[1] The pathways are graced with beautiful rows of trees, ranging from delicate cherry blossoms to majestic pines.[3] There is also a forest area.[1]
Horse-drawn carriages are specially used for pedestrians to move around the palace grounds and is mostly intended for guests. The horse responsible for pulling the carriage is not from the empire, but a breed imported from the West. It is said to be relatively large and powerful. The carriage does not use a box-shaped design, but an open-air seat with a simple canopy. The shape feels somewhat similar to a rickshaw. As the carriage is specially used in the Imperial Palace, it does not look cheap at all. Even the fabric used on the seat surface is of the highest quality. The driver will check that the guests are seated and then pull up the reins.[1] Visitors arriving by car can drive directly to the residence of the family member they seek to visit and conveniently park in front of the entrance.[3]
Imperial family members depart from the palace by traveling from their residence to the outer gate of the palace using car. From there, they exit the palace grounds on foot, passing by the gatekeepers, and proceed to reach a parked car waiting for them just beyond the gate.[2]
Outer Palace[]
The outer palace is located in the front part where there are densely populated facilities related to the Imperial Court, with several buildings that house government agencies where busy people could be seen running around.[1] The outer palace is a public space where people could come and go and is connected to the building of the Ministry of the Imperial Household by an outdoor veranda. It has a Western-style hall similar to that used for religious ceremonies. Within the outer palace, there is the Gardenia Hall. It is mainly used as a venue for state affairs meetings where the emperor personally participates. There is a long table and chairs imported from abroad placed in the center of the room. The lighting equipment uses crystal lamps made of countless crystals. The decoration looks mainly in Western style; however, the wallpapers on the ceiling and walls, as well as the curtains and fabrics such as tablecloths have traditional Japanese patterns, showing an elegant and perfect fusion of Japan and the West. The long table could easily seat fifteen people and there are dozens of chairs neatly arranged against the wall for additional participants. Sitting in front of the long table are the ministers of the provinces, sitting on the chairs against the wall are other figures who hold important positions in the military or government. The upper seats are tatami seats one step higher than the floor with a screen at the back and is reserved for the emperor or the emperor's agent.[4]
Inner Palace[]
The inner palace is located in the back part.[4] Scattered across the expansive grounds are several residences, each housing a member of the imperial family.[3]
Takaihito's residence[]
Takaihito's residence is the largest of them all and the most eye-catching. It occupies a central position on the palace grounds.[3] The building is made by wood and is in the shape of a bungalow.[1]
Beyond the entrance of Takaihito's residence lies a carefully designed path leading to sliding doors that open into the residence. The ambiance within the residence is one of grandeur and nobility.[3] The inner interior is grand and majestic. The corridor floor and the ceiling are constructed with whole piece log wood which was not cut and delivered directly to the construction site in its original length for use as building materials. The cost of transportation alone is too high to estimate. The wall penetration between the ceiling and the top of the door frame is designed to have a hollow wooden windows installation, meant for ventilation. The ranma screens are decorated with exquisite carvings of flowers, trees, birds and animals. There are no scratches or flaws on the door frame and pillars above the sliding door, and there is no fading or wear on the surface of the tatami. The construction, management and maintenance of this building must have consumed a lot of manpower and expense.[1]
The innermost sanctum of this residence boasts an intricately crafted sliding door, granting access to a chamber where noble residents conduct formal audiences with their honored guests. Within this chamber, the resident noble takes a seat directly across from their guest, positioned before a gracefully adorned alcove.[3]
A spacious garden faces Takaihito's residence.[1]
Emperor's residence[]
On the outskirts of the palace grounds, in a more modest dwelling, resides the Emperor. This residence, in contrast to Takaihito's, receives comparatively less stringent security measures.[2]
Miyo's residence[]
Miyo, Hazuki, Yurie and Arata temporarily stayed in a building that is connected to Takaihito's reside by a corridor. This building was originally used as a small-scale meeting place or rest room during festivals, so it was not suitable for use as accommodation space.[1]
- Miyo was assigned a spacious tatami room that is divided into two by a Japanese-style sliding door. Inside, there are several beautiful drawings of pine trees painted by famous painters above the sliding door. If the sliding door are removed, this place can be transformed into a banquet hall, which is so high-end that it really doesn't look like a room for accommodation. The room is chosen for Miyo based on the consideration that a young lady from a famous family must be used to living in spacious rooms. Furniture such as quilts, dressing tables, kimono hangers, and rattan boxes for storing items have been prepared in advance. Another sliding door connects the room to the aisle.[1]
- Yurie was originally assigned a different room, but she decided to used the space on the other side of the sliding door in Miyo's room as her room. If the two people's living spaces are closer, Yurie can better take care of Miyo, and by doing so, not too many rooms are occupied.[1]
- Hazuki's room was located at the corner of the corridor, separated by several rooms from Miyo's room. It was about the same size as the room Miyo used. This room was also divided into two halves with a Japanese-style sliding door. Hazuki used one end to store luggage and the other as her living room.
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