− | When [[Emperor Kammu]] established [[Heian-kyo|Heian-kyô]] (Kyoto) as the imperial capital in [[794]], a garden was established to the south of the newly constructed [[Kyoto Imperial Palace|Imperial Palace]]. Since pure water naturally springs up there, it was called Shinsen'en (神泉苑, lit. "Garden of Divine Springs"). | + | When [[Emperor Kammu]] established [[Heian-kyo|Heian-kyô]] (Kyoto) as the imperial capital in [[794]], a garden was established to the south of the newly constructed [[Kyoto Imperial Palace|Imperial Palace]]. Since pure water naturally springs up there, it was called Shinsen'en (神泉苑, lit. "Garden of Divine Springs"). A formal visit to the garden in [[800]]/7 by Emperor Kammu marked the beginning of its regular use as an imperial leisure site.<ref>Gallery labels, Kyoto Asny, Kyoto City Central Library.[https://www.flickr.com/photos/toranosuke/45885676884/sizes/k/]</ref> |
| The grounds are four <i>[[cho|chô]]</i> from north to south and two <i>chô</i> from east to west. (A <i>chô</i> is a traditional unit of measurement defined today as 109.09 meters, but it may have been a different size in the past.) In addition to the large pond and island in the middle of the garden, there are a number of structures, including a [[Shinto shrine]], a [[Buddhist temple]], a restaurant/inn, and halls ones called Kenrinkaku (乾臨閣 - Tower of Imperial Decisions), Tsuridono (Fishing Palace), and Takidono (Waterfall Palace), among others. A pleasure boat like those used during the Heian period sits on the pond. | | The grounds are four <i>[[cho|chô]]</i> from north to south and two <i>chô</i> from east to west. (A <i>chô</i> is a traditional unit of measurement defined today as 109.09 meters, but it may have been a different size in the past.) In addition to the large pond and island in the middle of the garden, there are a number of structures, including a [[Shinto shrine]], a [[Buddhist temple]], a restaurant/inn, and halls ones called Kenrinkaku (乾臨閣 - Tower of Imperial Decisions), Tsuridono (Fishing Palace), and Takidono (Waterfall Palace), among others. A pleasure boat like those used during the Heian period sits on the pond. |