In Japan, the Sentō Imperial Palace traditionally does not refer to a single location, but to any residence of retired emperors. Before Akihito abdicated in 2019, the last Emperor to retire did so in 1817, so the designation commonly refers to the historical Kyoto Sento Imperial Palace.
Kyoto Sentō Imperial Palace
The Kyoto Sentō Imperial Palace ) is a large garden in Kyoto, Japan, formerly the grounds of a palace for retired emperors. It is administered by the Imperial Household Agency and is opened to visitors.
History
Sento Imperial Palace was completed in 1630 for Emperor Go-Mizunoo's retirement, along with the corresponding Ōmiya Palace for the Empress Dowager Nyoin. Both palaces were repeatedly destroyed by fire and reconstructed until a blaze in 1854, after which the Sento palace was never rebuilt.. Today only two Sento structures, the Seika-tei and Yushin-tei teahouses, remain. The excellent gardens, laid out in 1630 by renowned artist Kobori Masakazu, are now its main attractions.
Layout
The palace grounds are located within the southeast corner of the Kyoto Imperial Palace, and entered via a stately wooden gate within its surrounding earthen wall. A carriage house with graceful triple gables sits just within, but still outside the garden's unadorned inner wall, whose gate leads directly to a fine view opening westward across the garden pond. The garden's primary feature is a large pond with islands and walkways, whose north and southsegments were linked by a short canal in 1747. The north pond was extended and reworked from 1684-1688; the south pond is notable for its expansive "ocean shore" of rounded stones and cherry trees, an edging of mixed natural and hewn stones, and a separate, understated embankment of squared stones. The ponds contain a variety of highly picturesque islands and six bridges in a varied styles, including one with an impressive wisteria trellis. Two teahouses complete the garden: Seika-tei, single-roofed and spare, at the southern end of the south pond; and Yushin-tei, thatched and rustic with a notable round window, at the western side of the north pond.
Modern Sentō Imperial Palace
Akihoto abdicated on 30 April 2019. Until he moved out of the Fukiage Palace located on the grounds of the Imperial Palace on March 31st, 2020, the Fukiage Palace was named Fukiage Sentō Imperial Palace. Until the Akasaka Palace is refurbished to accommodate to his old age, he is living temporarily in the Takanawa Residence, who became the Temporary Sentō Imperial Palace..
