choudouin　朝堂院

KEY WORD :　architecture / general terms

In ancient Japan, a complex of buildings within the Imperial Palace used for affairs of State, enthronement ceremonies, and audience with foreign envoys. As a rule the choudouin was located in the center of the Imperial Palace facing *suzakumon 朱雀門 (red bird gate). It included three parts: the daigokuden 大極殿, the choudouin and the choushuuden 朝集殿. It was first used in Nagaokakyuu 長岡宮 (784). The term, choushuuden was already in use before the construction of Heijoukyuu 平城宮. Choudouin remains were end at Naniwa no miya 難波宮 during the Emperor Shoumu 聖武 Reign (724-49); at Shigaraki no miya 紫香楽宮 (a detached palace); Fujuwarakyuu 藤原宮 (694-710), Heijoukyuu 平城宮 (710-80); Kunikyuu 恭仁宮 (740-44); Nagaokakyuu ; and *Heiankyuu 平安宮. At the original Heijoukyuu, the first choudouin was built in the center, while the second choudouin was built on the east side of the palace facing mibumon 壬生門. The choudouin often burned down at the Heiankyuu, but the complex of buildings were rebuilt each time, until it was burned down in 1177. The choudouin at Fujiwarakyuu, at the second Heijoukyuu, at Naniwa no miya, at the Nagaokakyuu, and at the Heiankyuu were approximately the same construction. The choudouin at Fujiwarakyuu differed by having the daigokuden, choudouin and choushuuden in line from north. The daigokuden was a building which the Emperor visited and therefore it contained an imperial throne. The perimeter of the choudouin was surrounded by a corridor, and had a gate that opened to the south. The choudouin was where subjects were seated when discussing administrative business or ceremonies. Later there were eight buildings at Nagaoka no miya and twelve buildings at other palaces. They were surrounded by corridors or packed mud fences *tsuiji 築地. The garden which surrounded the choudouin is called choutei 朝庭, and subjects stood a line during a ceremony. The gate is opened on the south side. Choushuuden is where the assembled subjects waited until the time for a ceremony, and two buildings are arranged on left and right of south gate of the choudouin. A late example of the choudouin had a podium and base stone, a tiled roof, and was painted red. We can see a part of it on the worshipping hall of Heian Jinguu 平安神宮 which was built in 1895 from a copy of the daigokuden at the Heiankyuu. Over time, the choudouin became smaller.

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