Katsura Villa in Kyoto
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Built in wooded surroundings within Japan’s ancient capital, Kyoto, Katsura Imperial Villa (Katsura Rikyu) or Katsura Detached Palace is one of the finest examples of how Japanese architecture coexists with nature.
Katsura Imperial Villa was constructed in the 17th century as a country residence for the Katsura Family (member of Japan’s Royal Family). Its construction took 35 years to complete.
Three main buildings of the Katsura Villa, Ko-shoin, Chu-shoin and Shin-goten encircle the pond created from the water of the river, Katsura-gawa. Ko-shoin represents the ceremonial shoin style. The last two buildings namely Chu-shoin and Shin-goten are built in the familiar sukia style of architecture. Spectacular paintings of the artists of Kano school and intricate works by the master goldsmiths and carpenters adorn the buildings and other structures of the Katsura Imperial Villa.
The stunning garden sprawling over an area of 56,000 sq. meters with a circular mall and a tearoom attempts to harmonize the grandeur of Japanese architectural design with the simplicity of nature.
The entrance of the Katsura Imperial Villa is the known as Miyuki-mon. Mosses and bushes line the garden paths filled with river pebbles and rectangular cobbles. As one proceeds further, two other gates take the visitor to the inner gardens of the Katsura Villa.
An interesting feature of the inner garden is the group of buildings (Goten) in its center. Three structures namely Furu-shoin, Naka-shoin and Miyuki-den constitute the Goten.
The veranda of the Furu-shoin is specially constructed for moon viewing. A place known as moon-viewing platform extending further from the veranda adds to the ‘moon-viewing’ theme of the Katsura Detached Palace.
Katsura Imperial Villa was constructed in the 17th century as a country residence for the Katsura Family (member of Japan’s Royal Family). Its construction took 35 years to complete.
Three main buildings of the Katsura Villa, Ko-shoin, Chu-shoin and Shin-goten encircle the pond created from the water of the river, Katsura-gawa. Ko-shoin represents the ceremonial shoin style. The last two buildings namely Chu-shoin and Shin-goten are built in the familiar sukia style of architecture. Spectacular paintings of the artists of Kano school and intricate works by the master goldsmiths and carpenters adorn the buildings and other structures of the Katsura Imperial Villa.
The stunning garden sprawling over an area of 56,000 sq. meters with a circular mall and a tearoom attempts to harmonize the grandeur of Japanese architectural design with the simplicity of nature.
The entrance of the Katsura Imperial Villa is the known as Miyuki-mon. Mosses and bushes line the garden paths filled with river pebbles and rectangular cobbles. As one proceeds further, two other gates take the visitor to the inner gardens of the Katsura Villa.
An interesting feature of the inner garden is the group of buildings (Goten) in its center. Three structures namely Furu-shoin, Naka-shoin and Miyuki-den constitute the Goten.
The veranda of the Furu-shoin is specially constructed for moon viewing. A place known as moon-viewing platform extending further from the veranda adds to the ‘moon-viewing’ theme of the Katsura Detached Palace.
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