This is a replica of the palace called "Tatsumi no Machi" which was built by Hikaru Genji for his wife "Murasaki no Ue" in Heian era around 900AD. He was one of sons of the Emperor. He is well-known in Japan as the main character in "The Tale of Genji", which is recognised by many as the world's first novel.
Tatsumi no Machi was built in "shinden zukuri" - style, which is one of the traditional Japanese architectural styles, and usually has a symmetrical layout. Tatsumi no Machi consists of its main building "Shinden", the east annex "Higashi no Tai", the west annex "Nishi no Tai", a guardhouse "Samurai Dokoro", ox-led car park "Kuruma Yadori" and the fishing platform "Tsuridono". All of them are inter-connected by walkways, and face onto a traditional Japanese garden. Hikaru Genji used the main building. His wife used the west annex. His daughter used the east annex.
In total Hikaru Genji had 4 such palaces built, (each one named for the seasons of the year) in an estate known as Rokujouin. Tatsumi no Machi was located in the south east corner. In old japanese, the word "Tatsumi" means south east and it also means Spring. So, the theme for Tatsumi no Machi was spring. Actually its courtyards are decorated with cherry and wisteria which represent spring time in Japan.
This kind of palace would have existed in Kyoto. Unfortunately they can no longer be seen in Japan. So, the only place you can see this palace is here!.
To the south from the pond in the garden, we provide a hotspring and our souvenir shop. So, after seeing the palace and the garden, please enjoy bathing in the hotspring and shopping!
Modhuine Ringo showed me the date masamune - an armour from a very famous japanese samurai.
Shinagawa
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