Goin' Imperial

Mission: Visit the Imperial Palace Grounds [Completed]
Objectives: Photos. Lots of photos [Completed]
Secondary Objective: Visit Imperial Gardens [Completed]
Achievements Unlocked: Viewed Imperial Ceremony welcoming Foreign Ambassador, Saw Tokyo Tower (and have it not be eaten by Godzilla)

New skill unlocked - Imperial Crest Netsuke (Open: Show Imperial Crest Netsuke, bow number of personalities equal to chi.)

...good grief, just how much of a nerd am I?

Woke up bright and early today to prepare for my trip deep into the heart of Central Tokyo, to the grounds where Tokugawa built his castle, to where the Emperor Meiji resided after the capital moved from Kyoto to Tokyo, to where the longest unbroken dynastic line resides: The Imperial Palace of Tokyo.

Getting there was a trip and a half in and of itself. I transferred at Shinjuku for the Marunouchi subway line and took it all the way to Tokyo Station -- the largest station in the world. No lie, that place is humongous. I often felt like a hamster in a maze trying to find the piece of cheese, bit of peanut butter, or carrot stick. It was just damn near difficult to navigate. And considering you're underground, it's doubly difficult to get your directional bearings when you can't see the sky. I had to find the West gate to be nearest to the Palace, and thankfully, I found it without getting too lost.

Nothing quite prepared me for seeing the Palace up close and personal. I mean, the grounds are very spacious. You hear stories of Western Castles and moats, and drawbridges, and you see them all the time in animated movies and what not, but seeing and touching the actual ramparts, the wood and steel gates, it's a whole other experience.

Here's a run down of the tour and buildings of particular note:

1.) Fujimi-Yagura -- a three-storied keep reconstructed in 1659, is one of the oldest remaining remnants of the original Edo Castle (Tokugawa's residence). It served as a watch tower. The rampart is 14.5 meters high and the tower itself is 15.5 meters high.

2.) The Imperial Household Agency (Kunaicho Chosha) - If Japan were Rokugan, the Kunaicho Chosha would be like the Miya Archives. They literally keep track of everything, from the daily lives of the Imperial Family, to controlling press releases, to even approving the future spouses of Imperial Family members. In short: they control everything.

3.) Fujimi-tamon Defense House and Hasuikebori - Fujimi-Tamon is a donjon built for both defense and decorative purposes. It also served as a repository and armory. The Hasuikebori (Lotus Moat) is a moat that follows the ramparts throughout the palace. In the summer, the entire moat is brimming with blooming lotus'.

4.) Kyuden Totei Plaza - This plaza, situated in front of the Imperial Palace complex in front of Chowaden Hall is where the public can convene on the Emperor's Birthday and on January 2nd to receive an address from the Emperor and see the Imperial Family.

5.) The Imperial Palace (Kyuden!) - The current Palace was completed in 1968 and consists of seven buildings including the Seiden State Function Hall, Homeiden State Banquet Hall, Chowaden Reception Hall, and the Emperor's Daily Office. The original Meiji Palace was destroyed during the Tokyo Air Raids of the Second World War.

Around the time we got to this part of the tour, we were shuffled aside as up from the path came two horse drawn carriages and a contingent of horseback officers as well as other military types. Who would have thought that during a regularly scheduled guided tour of the Imperial Grounds that I would get to see the installation of a new foreign Ambassador? The entire ceremony (called the "Inspection of Papers" or something to that effect) consists of the new Ambassador (or politician, or someone of significant standing) is met by the Emperor and given his approval.

We never got to see the Emperor of course, but the fact that all of this went down while I was there (and I caught video of the procession leaving), I think that was pretty bad ass. Continuing...

6.) Seimon-testubashi Bridge and Fushimi-yagura Keep - The bridge is a popular guest destination as it crosses one of the larger moats and gives visitors a good view of the Fushimi-Yagura Keep. The difference between Fujimi-yagura and Fushimi-yagura is that Fushimi-yagura was moved from Fushimi Castle in Kyoto to Tokyo by Tokugawa Iemitsu in the early 17th century.

7.) Sannomaru Shozokan (Museum of Imperial Collections) - Full of shiny pretties, this hall shows off a portion of treasures accrued by the Imperial Family. It changes monthly, and I got to see a lot of classical sumi-e portraits dating back from the early 17th century to more modern times. The museum has more than 9500 articles in its collection.

8.) Higashi Gyoen (East Imperial Gardens) - One word: HUGE. I imagine Higashi Gyoen is to Tokyo (along with Yoyogi and Inokashira Parks) what Central Park is to New York. It's just lush, well designed and pleasing to the eyes.

I stopped at one of the various "rest houses" in the park and picked up a few momentos including a set of photo postcards (with old, old artwork on them), a book mark (from the same art series) as well as a little netsuke in the shape of the Imperial Crest (the chrysanthemum). I figure it'll be a nice favor to carry around when I get back into L5R upon my return home.

Edit: Here Be The Photos! As Promised!