Shishinden

The Shishinden is the main hall with a distinguished history dating back to the Heian period, where important court ceremonies were held. It was built facing south in the southern area of the grounds and was also known as Naden (referring to the South Building). The building, with its cypress bark roof and natural, unpainted wood construction, features Shitomido outer doors and Karado doors on the exterior. The central area, called Moya, measures 9 ken (approximately 16.4 meters) in width and 3 ken (approximately 5.5 meters)in length, and is surrounded by Hisashi on all four sides. The interior showcases Keshoyaneura (refined rafters and beams) and Nugui-itajiki (refined polished wood flooring). All these features highlight the architectural styles of the Heian period.
Currently, the Shishinden houses the Takamikura(Imperial Throne) and the Michodai(August Seat of the Empress), which are used exclusively for the Enthronement Ceremony. Originally, the Michodai referred to an Emperor's throne within a rectangular canopy, like the one currently in the Seiryoden. The combination of the Emperor's throne in the canopy and the Kensho shoji panels located behind it characterized the Shishinden as a highly dignified and traditional building.
When the reconstruction in Kansei 2(1790), the architectural space of the Shishinden was restored according to the ancient Heian period traditions to ensure that traditional ceremonies could be accommodated as originally intended. The restoration was based on the floor plan research by the scholar Uramatsu Kozen (as documented in "Daidaizu-koshō") and other documents related the Heian period Imperial Palace. While maintaining the Heian period style, modern techniques from the Edo period were used in some areas, such as the roof truss structure.
In the Shishinden, important ceremonies such as the Enthronement Ceremony, the Coming-of-age Ceremonies, the Rikkou and the Rittaisi (Ceremonies for announcing that an Empress or new Crown Prince has been crowned and enthroned) and seasonal ceremonies were held. Not only the main hall but also the south garden in front of it, the surrounding corridors, and various gates were used as part of the ceremonial venue. In the South Garden, the Daijosai (Rite of Offering of New Rice after the Enthronement Ceremony) was also conducted. Originally, the Enthronement Ceremony was held in the Daikokuden of the Chodoin (Hasshoin) in the Heian Daidairi (the Heian period Imperial Palace), and the Daijosai in the south courtyard. In later periods, the Shishinden and the South Garden served as substitutes in place of the Chodoin. The corridors and gates built after the Kansei reconstruction incorporated the style of the Chodoin.
The Shishinden, which preserves the tradition from the Heian period, became the stage for the dawn of a new era with the Meiji Restoration. It was the site for the proclamation of the Gokajo-no-goseimon (Charter Oath or Five-Article Oath) in 1868 and served as a venue for Imperial audiences with foreign envoys. Subsequently, it was used for the Enthronement Ceremonies of Emperor Taishō and Emperor Shōwa, symbolizing the enduring court culture of Japan.