Kyakuden

The Kyakuden was originally a part of the residential palace for Tofuku-mon-in, the consort of Emperor Emeritus Gomizu-no-o. It had stood on the grounds of the present Kyoto Sento Imperial Palace and functioned as a private audience hall. After her death, it was relocated to the current place in 1682. Ichi-no-ma room contains the famous staggered shelves called Kasumidana (meaning “haze shelves”, as they resemble overhanging haze). The walls and sliding door panels are decorated with the square-shaped paper sheets inscribed with verses which praise the scenic beauty of the villa and with the blue and gold diamond-shaped paper sheets. The unique ornaments such as the door pulls in the shape of a long-tailed bird and the nail covers in the shape of a flower cart contribute to the elegant atmosphore of the hall.