Japan -- History; Japan -- Politics and government
The “Shi shin deng” (Ch. “Tsz shin tien”) faces to the south, to the
large outer gate, the “Yio may mong”; within this is another gate of a
red inclosure, the gate of the sun, “Hi no go mong.” On passing through
this, the large wooden-pillar-supported hall, with its roof with
immense eaves, is seen raised from the ground upon a lower framework
of wood. Before it stand an orange and a cherry tree. Between these,
six steps lead up to the wooden gallery or veranda, which goes round
the hall under eaves projecting five or six feet from the supports. A
low balustrade surrounds this veranda. Under this large canopy of roof,
almost in the open air, the Emperor sits while he receives homage. The
“Shi shin deng” occupies the red inclosure, having on the east side
a small wooden building for covering the car used in processions; to
the east of that is the building in which the “three jewels” are kept,
the “Naishi dokoro.” Within the “Shi shin deng” all extraordinary
formal business of importance is transacted. The Shiogoon here presents
himself to the Emperor. In the long hall to the west of the “Shi shin
deng,” the “Say rio deng” (“Tsing liang tien”) or “Hiru no ma,” the
mid-day room, ordinary business is transacted. Immediately in the
rear of the “Shi shin deng” is the “Nai go bansho,” or inner hall for
business. To the east side, and overlooking the garden, is the “Tsunay
no goteng,” or hall of meeting, or drawing-room. Behind, in the “Ko ngo
sho,” the Emperor’s son and heir lives; here also are the apartments
of the elder women. “Nanga Hashi no Tsubo nay” is the room in which
levees are held, where rank is given, and degradations or punishments
are awarded. Formerly all the offices of the different departments of
government were in the neighborhood of the palace, but outside, at a
distance of one “cho,” or 120 yards.
At the back of all are the female apartments. On the east side, outside
of the inclosure, is the Gakumonjo, or imperial school.
To the southeast of the whole is another inclosure, the “Ko een go
sho,” the palace of the Emperor after he has abdicated, when he is
known as Kubo, covering a space of ground nearly as large as the
palace inclosure. Adjoining this, and immediately to the south, is the
residence of the father or predecessor of the abdicated emperor. He is
known as Sento (Tsin tung). To the southwest is that of the empress
dowager, and the females of the old emperor’s court. The Shi sin wo,
or four royal families, are located in the neighborhood, while all
around are the residences, with inclosures of ground, belonging to the
“Go sekkay,” or “five assisting” families. Among these also is found
a small inclosure, the residence of the Sho shi dai, the envoy of the
Shiogoon at the imperial court.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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