In the history of architecture in the Nara period, today I will write about Heijo Palace, the residence of His Majesty the Emperor.
The Suzakumon Gate and Daiichiji Daigokuden have been restored in the Heijo Palace Remains Historical Park in Nara, and you can still see them.
What's more, the restoration work was carried out by a heart-warming combination of Super General Contractor Takenaka Corporation, which is rumored to be related to Takenaka Hanbei.
Heijo Palace
If you walk straight on Suzaku Avenue, which runs north and south through the main gate of Heijokyo, Rashomon, you will reach the main gate of Heijogu, Suzakumon.
A short walk through the Suzakumon Gate, you will see the Chodoin in Chuo-ku, and in the back you will see the Daigokuden (the above is the pamphlet of the Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties).
* Daiichiji Daigokuden did not exist at the same time because the first Daigokuden was placed in the first half of the Nara period and the second was placed in the latter half of the Nara period. For those who want to actually see the layout of the first half and the second half, the details can be found in the Heijo 370th Survey [Fig. 1 Structure of Heijo Palace] on the current theory public site.
It seems that the Chodoin in Chuo-ku, which is directly in front of the temple, was used as a place for Hyakkan-na (officials of each ministry) to visit in the morning, and as a place for national ceremonies and banquets such as Daijosai. On the other hand, Higashi Ward Chodoin functions as a traditional political space.
Daijosai is a ceremony in which the emperor offers new grains to the god for the first time after his coronation and eats with the god (also from a survey by the Heijo Palace Chuo-ku Chodoin of the Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties).
And Daigokuden, which is further behind Chuo-ku Chodoin. This is the main hall of the imperial court. National ceremonies were held here as well, but there were ceremonies of high importance in the imperial court, such as coronation and audiences of special envoys from abroad.
After Emperor Shomu relocated to Kunikyo and returned again, the rituals were no longer held at Daiichiji Daigokuden, but the function moved to the eastern side.
The location and function of most buildings looks like this.
And, in fact, around this Daigokuden, a wall with a height of 2m, which was made by stacking bricks called "sen", stood up to 100m. This brick is believed to have been made to make Daigokuden look majestic.
Actually, this brick. It was used as a wall in Heijo Palace, but it was used as a floor in temples. This technology is also transmitted from China.
Since Japan is rich in clay, it seems possible to build buildings using bricks even after this era, but it will gradually disappear due to the hot and humid climate. Brick was not used much in the Heian period.
However, as the era advanced to the Meiji era, brick buildings were once again attracting attention as modern architecture, and they were actually used in many buildings. After all, this also became a hotbed for mold, and it seems that it was difficult to manage. And the Great Kanto Earthquake. A brick building that cannot move flexibly like a wooden structure is vulnerable to earthquakes. After that, it seems that the complete brick construction went down again.
You can also find many public websites such as the Heijo Palace Museum created by the Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties and the site of the National Heijo Palace Remains Historical Park by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. ..