March 29, 2026 : A Spring Day at the Kyoto Imperial Palace
© 安岡喜晴 (JoyShine)
Today we went to the Kyoto Imperial Palace.
While walking down the gravel path in the grounds of the Kyoto Imperial Palace, we saw a tree with white blossoms among the pine trees.
From there, we visited the exhibit about Emperor Showa's enthronement, with black-and-white photos of the Emperor and Empress in their robes.
Next, we came to the Gishumon Gate, and looked up at the wooden pillars and golden ornaments.
Then, looking at the Shishinden from under the Jomeimon Gate, we could see the hall beyond the vermilion pillars.
We then went around to the front of the Shishinden, with the Sakon no Sakura and Ukon no Tachibana standing on either side.
"Sakon" means "left guard" and "Ukon" means "right guard", the names come from the imperial guards who used to line up near these trees during ceremonies.
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The cherry blossom symbolizes fleeting beauty, while the tachibana citrus tree symbolizes eternity, they're paired together as a contrast.
A thing that flees, and a thing that stays unchanged forever.
I wondered what this contrast means.
Does it mean that a thing is beautiful because it isn't eternal?
Or does it simply show how this world is built, from things that are fleeting and things that are eternal?
Either way, I feel the essence of Japanese aesthetics standing on either side of this place.
From there, we came to the Gonaitei Garden, where the curved Dobashi bridge was reflected in the water beneath beautifully sweeping pine branches.
At the back of the garden, there was another weeping cherry tree.
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Finally, we stopped at SASAYA IORI+.
It was really a relaxing day.