Oldest Example of Complete Katakana Script Found on Plate in Kyoto

いろは歌、最古の「全文」土器の墨書確認　中京・堀河院跡

The Kyoto City Archaeological Research Institute on Friday announced that an artefact dug up in 1983 was discovered on reexamination to have nearly all of the hiragana characters written on it.

The small plate was discovered in the grounds of the ANA Crown Plaza Hotel thirty years ago at the ruins of the Horikawa Imperial Palace. That is across the street from Nijo Castle.

The piece dates from the end of the 12th century to the early part of the 13th century. On it is penned in charcoal the poem known as Iroha, which is thought to have been written in the Heian Period (794–1179 CE).

This makes it the oldest extant example of hiragana.

The plate is 9 cm in diameter and 1.5 cm tall. There are 47 characters on the plate.

It will be on display at the Kyoto City Archaeological Museum from June 29 until July 28.

Photo©Kyoto Shinbun

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A Late Night Stroll Through the Kyoto Imperial Palace

京都御所の夜桜

Following an early spring "nomikai" (night at the pub, or to be more exact izakaya), we rode back home to the Ninnaji Temple area from downtown via the Imperial Palace.

It was cold but the cherry trees in all their ephemeral glory were worth getting off the bike.

Few were in the park. A few solitary walkers and the usual police car that does a huge circumference of the huge park were visible. Otherwise, we had the park to ourselves.

Today is a perfect spring day, which will start the draw the curtain on what has been a perfect cherry blossom season.

The blossoms will start to fall, creating a "cherry blossom blizzard" around the photo buffs, those out for a stroll, and picnickers.

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Special Autumn Opening of the Kyoto Imperial Palace

京都御所秋季一般公開

For a limited period, the Imperial Palace will open its august doors to the general public.

From October 31 November 4, it is possible to enter.

Reservations are not required and admission is free.

All facilities connected to the Japanese royal family are managed by the Imperial Household Agency, or Kunaicho.

For those cycling, the Imperial Palace (Gosho) is a huge rectangular park due north of downtown or just south of Doshisha University.

Information

Kyoto Imperial Palace

October 31 - November 4
9:00 am - 3:30 pm
Access: Karasuma subway line, Imadegawa Stn. or Marutamachi Stn.
Imperial Household Agency: Tel: 075 211 1211


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Kyoto Imperial Palace Hamaguri Gate Bullet Holes

京都御所蛤御門の変

On August 20, 1864, a pitched battle took place in central Kyoto just outside the Imperial Palace. Participants were armed with swords and rifles.

The battle, which occurred at the Hamaguri Gate on the west side of the Palace, was fought between pro-imperial and anti-alien (foreigner) groups.

The rebels who attacked the Palace fought under the slogan Sonno Joi - "Order to Expel the Barbarians" - that had been promulgated by the Emperor in March 1863.

The rebels wished to wrest control from the Emperor himself to accomplish the restoration of the Imperial throne.

Forces from Choshu attacked the Palace, which was defended by the Aizu and Kuwana Domains, near the Hamaguri Gate, one of the Nine Forbidden Gates.

More than 100 Choshu soldiers died in a losing effort. Before fleeing, though, Choshu forces set fire to the city. The resulting conflagration burned most of Kyoto south of the Imperial Palace. As a result, in a great swath of Kyoto, there are almost no buildings that were built prior to 1864.

Following this, the military government - the Shogunate - went south to retaliate and routed the Choshu.

To this day, the bullet holes remain in the gate, which faces Karasuma Dori, north of Marutamachi.


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自転車で京都御所へ

Cycling Kyoto Imperial Palace

日本語ご希望の方。

Kyoto Gosho, the Imperial Palace, is a massive rectangular park north of downtown. It is run and maintained by the Imperial Household but has a very open and casual feel.

Gosho is open twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year.

For those on a bike, there are narrow paths worn into the gravel that crisscross many areas of the Palace.

Especially at night, it is a magical peaceful slow ride.

Ride Gosho ride.

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The Screen Kyoto Hotel

THE SCREEN京都

The Screen is Kyoto's lone boutique hotel.

Hotels in Kyoto tend to fall into two categories: high-end, brand name hotels or low-end backpacker places.

The former includes the Westin, the Hyatt, the under construction Four Seasons and Ritz-Carlton, and a handful of very expensive Japanese inns.

In between, there are now a few semi-decent places.

However, for something quite different the choices are very limited.

THE SCREEN has 13 different guest rooms designed by 13 different "creators," and is indeed unique.

It is not cheap though; rooms start around $500 a night.

Access

It is just south of the Imperial Palace on Teramachi Dori.

Tel: 075 252 1113　Fax: 075 252 1311



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Kyoto Gosho Imperial Palace

京都御所

Smack in the middle of Kyoto is the massive rectangular park that was once home to generations of emperors.

Gosho, the Imperial Palace, is a huge green slab in the heart of Kyoto.

It is a park home to many trees, a few of the palaces - dating to the 19th century - baseball fields, tennis courts, and clean clean air.

The Palace grounds are 1.3 km north to south and 0.7 km east to west.

The Imperial Palace has been at its current location since the late 12th century. Prior to that, though, it was already the de facto residence of the emperors.

The grounds include many buildings, among them a Imperial Household Agency center. Here you apply for permission to Katsura Imperial Palace.

The tea "house" pictured above right is thought to have been built in the 19th century, and has several tatami tea rooms within. The moat below left is on the outside of this sub-compound.

It is located at the southern end of the park.

For cyclists, it presents challenges - most of it is gravel - and an opportunity. There are narrow paths worn into the gravel thanks to generations of cyclists. At night, when the moon is out and there is no one out, a slow ride through Gosho is bliss.


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No Cycling Sign Imperial Palace Kyoto

自転車乗り入り禁止御所

Cycling is permitted in Kyoto's Imperial Palace.

Nay, it is by all means encouraged. Not a fast ride, not a convenient ride - but a glorious ride.

It is a massive space in central Kyoto that is mostly gravel laid out for pedestrians visiting the palace or to see the gardens.

Bike-friendly paths have been worn into the gravel.

In places, though, cycling is not allowed.

In grassy areas with many plum or cherry trees, many come to picnic or let their children run free.

Here you will find such signs.

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Cycling Kyoto Imperial Palace Gosho

自転車で御所を乗る

 Cycling in the Imperial Palace in Kyoto - "Gosho" in Japanese - is not fast, is not convenient, and is not easy.

It is however exquisite.

The vast slab of land north of downtown Kyoto has a few buildings related to its former inhabitant(s), long since decamped to Tokyo, but it is much more than an "imperial" palace.

It is the city's best park.

Open 24 hours a day 365 days a year, it is not just a refuge but serves as the lungs of the city.

For cyclists, it presents a challenge - for those in a hurry, it could be perceived as an impediment that one must ride around - and an opportunity.

The opportunity is to ride - slowly - along the paths cut into the gravel by generations of cyclists. Go in at night when few are in the park, look at the stars, breathe deep, listen to the silence. Stop.

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Bike Path in the Imperial Palace Kyoto

京都御所の自転車道

Kyoto's Imperial Palace has narrow lanes carved into the gravel courtesy of many determined cyclists.

The palace grounds are spacious and beautiful. You are not going to save any time cutting through.

But you will get a great slow ride.

Especially recommended at night when it is dead quiet and the stars are out.

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