Sanjo Palace

A model of the Sanjô Eastern Palace, on display at the Museum of Kyoto.

• Built: 1125
• Destroyed: 1159
• Japanese: 三条東殿 (sanjou higashidono)

The Sanjô Higashi-dono, or Sanjô Eastern Palace, was a major Heian period palace in Kyoto. It covered an area roughly 40 jô square (approx. 120 meters), near what is currently the intersection of Sanjô-Karasuma.

In the early 11th century, Fujiwara Iyo no kami Nariie had his mansion here, which was later inherited by his descendant Fujiwara no Iemichi, Chief administrator of the Imperial Household (宮内卿). In 1125, during the reign of Emperor Sutoku, Retired Emperor Shirakawa claimed the site, and built an impressive palace in the shinden-zukuri style. After Shirakawa's death, Retired Emperor Toba took up residence at the palace, along with his empress, Taikenmon'in, until it was destroyed by fire in the 7th month of 1132. The residence, rebuilt, then passed to his son, Emperor Go-Shirakawa.

The palace was famously attacked on 1159/12/9 by Minamoto no Yoshitomo, with a force of over 500 warriors, and set the palace aflame. The Retired Emperor was captured, kidnapped, and confined. And so it was that the Heiji Rebellion broke out.

The Kyoto Central Telephone Office was built on the site in the Meiji period; the building is today home to the Shinpûkan shopping complex.

The Night Attack on the Sanjô Palace Handscroll Painting (Detail). Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. 11.4000.

References

• Plaques on-site.

External Links

• Former site of the Sanjô Palace on Google Maps.