NEWS: Hideyoshi's Sumptuous Kyoto Palace Excavated!
Tokugawa Ieyasu's Residence Relieved Discovered
An area in Kyoto’s Kamigyo Ward, believed to be the former site of Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s sumptuous palace and seat of government, the Jurakutei, also known as the Jurakudai, has been excavated with researchers discovering a site filled with fist-sized stones and tile fragments amongst other relics, believed to have been part of the mansion of Tokugawa Ieyasu.
In February of 1586, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who had begun life as a lowly foot soldier was invested with the exalted position of Kanpaku, an ancient Heian period (794 – 1185) title equivalent to “Grand Counselor to the Imperial Throne”, making him second only to the Emperor himself. To celebrate, Toyotomi Hideyoshi commenced construction of a most sumptuous castle-like residence and administrative headquarters in the heart of Kyoto. It had been completed within just 19 months on the very same spot as the original Heian period Imperial Palace. The site was originally used for one of the most important government offices that made up the Heian Palace. The ancient Central Ministry handled edicts, pronouncements, and investitures issued directly by the Emperor, and was in charge of finances, the management of bureaucrats business trips, and guarding the Imperial Palace. The offices are said to have been destroyed by fire in 1127. Four hundred and sixty years later this land was used for Hideyoshi’s sumptuous new palace, the Jurakutei (also known as the Jurakudai), which was completed within a year and a half, in September of 1587.
The complex consisted of four large compounds surrounded by wide moats and high walls. The Jurakutei was on a scale equal to that of the contemporary Imperial Palace, but was decorated even more lavishly.
The warrior and architect Todo Takatora was appointed as the building construction manager for the projectand is known to have used his own money to construct a very fine gate that he presented to Hideyoshi. A much pleased Hideyoshi thanked him personally with a finely forged razor sharp katana for his excellent workand appreciated gift.
The nation’s top-ranking daimyo were expected to be present for the opening of this magnificent, fortified palace, particularly as the Emperor Go-Yozei himself would be in attendance. Mansions worthy of their status were constructed around the grounds. Toyotomi Hideyoshi had ordered his right-hand man, his younger brother, Hidenaga, to construct a worthy yashiki mansion within the grounds of the Jurakutei complex for Tokugawa Ieyasu.
Hidenaga and Ieyasu were on good terms, in fact, they were brothers in law. Ieyasu was married to Hidenaga’s younger sister, Asahi. It was a marriage organised by Hideyoshi to ensure the Toyotomi and Tokugawa remained close, and appears to have worked, as Hidenaga and Ieyasu often corresponded.
For this important construction job, Hidenaga called upon his most trusted and most skilled retainer, Todo Takatora, making him the overall structural works project commissioner.
When presented with the initial designs already approved by Hideyoshi and Ieyasu, Takatora is said to have discovered a major defensive design fault. The layout of the grounds and also the yashiki which was to have housed Ieyasu, were deemed by Takatora as “difficult to defend”. Takatora then redesigned it all at his own expense. Later, when Ieyasu saw the residence, he was surprised, and asked why the plans had been changed. Takatora is said to have answered “Lord Ieyasu is an important man, if you should come under attack, the original plan would have made defense difficult, and put your life at risk. My master, Hidenagawould be held responsible, and his master, Lord Hideyoshi too would be angered. If you are unhappy with the alterations I made, then you may cut me down, or, order it so and I shall cut myself open immediately.”
Hideyoshi would retire from his position as Kampaku in 1591, and hand the reins of power and his magnificent Jurakutei to his nephew and heir, Toyotomi Hidetsugu. A second state visit by Emperor Go-Yozei would be staged at the Jurakutei in 1591 and was hosted by Hidetsugu.
Meanwhile, Hideyoshi had commenced construction of an even more luxurious and opulent castle at Fushimi in the southern districts of Kyoto, and upon completion, relocated there. When a son, and direct heir was finally born to Hideyoshi, and he no longer had need for his nephew Hidetsugu, the young man was ordered to cut himself open. The entire Jurakutei was demolished, with various parts recycled or reconstructed at Fushimi Castle and various temples.
Nothing remained of Hideyoshi’s fortified palace.
According to the Sankei Newspaper and other sources, the Kyoto City Cultural Properties Protection Division announced their findings at an information session for local residents. It is known that Jurakudai, the official residence of the Kanpaku, or Regent as Toyotomi Hideyoshi was styled in the late 16th century, was located nearby, and that many important daimyo had residences built surrounding the property.
Kyoto City's Cultural Properties Protection Division investigated a 130 square meter area in connection with the proposed construction of an apartment building. As a result, many pieces of tile were unearthed from the remains of the East-West ditch marking the northern limit of the province. An area measuring 9.2 meters from north to south, 2.7 meters from east to west, and 0.4 meters thick has been excavated. Remains of a 1.5 meters wide and 1.0 meters deep ditch dating back to the Sengoku period, which runs through the center of the survey area, has also been identified.
Judging from the pottery and other items found along with the site, it was assumed that the site was the remains of Hideyoshi’s Jurakudai Castle, which was built on the grounds of the former Heian Palace, but abandoned in 1595. According to old mid Edo period maps Tokugawa Ieyasu's estate was on the south side ofthe Jurakudai's main enclosure. Part of the excavation discovered what is thought to be a dividing wall.
Based on these circumstances, the division believes that the ruins may have been part of the construction of Ieyasu's mansion. Although stone walls and moat ruins have been excavated from Jurakudai-related remainsin the past, the remains of feudal lord mansions are said to be rare. Archeology Professor Yamada Kunikazu of Doshisha Women's University said in interviews that ``The remains of the premises of feudal lords related to Jurakudai, such as Ieyasu’s, are rare and the finds will yield important historical materials for future research on the Jurakudai.''
For the original article, please see here: https://www.sankei.com/article/20230926-7QKPCW46CRKQZLY5JMVKB4DFMY/?fbclid=IwAR3TR76AAJ7kzTOpuo1OKFyRM1-mY3mhMXhmFlEOjZV8VZGLL3Z_J9aQe1A
For more information on Todo Takatora and the Jurakutei, may I suggest my non-fiction book, The Samurai Castle Master, Warlord Todo Takatora, available from all booksellers, but faster and cheaper direct from the publishers, Frontline Books. https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-Samurai-Castle-Master-Hardback/p/21669
