Page 184 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Japan

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NIJO-JO

二条城
 C3 ⌂ Entrance on Horikawa-dori § (075) 841-0096 PAINTERS OF THE
EXPERIENCE Kyoto City Wed–Mon (to 6:10pm Jul & Aug) ¢ Dec 26–Jan 3 KANO SCHOOL
 Nijojo-mae Stn @ 9, 50, 101 # Feb–Jun & Sep–Nov:

8:45am–5pm daily; Jan, Jul, Aug & Dec: 8:45am–5pm
Kano artists came from
Although it might not look like an impressive stronghold
a low-ranking samurai
from the outside, the interior of Nijo-jo will not disappoint.
family, but grew to
Full of innovative defences, and undeniably beautiful,
prominence in the 15th
it’s a fascinating place to explore.
Chinese-style
landscapes, figures,
With few of the grand fortifications of other castles in Japan, century for their
Nijo-jo is instead best known for its unusually ornate interiors and bird and flower
and “nightingale floors.” This ingenious flooring is so called scenes. Nijo-jo has the
because it was designed to make bird-like squeaking sounds largest Kano pieces
when walked upon, a warning of possible intruders. The complex ever executed. Among
was created by shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu (1543–1616), and the motifs are life-size
symbolized the power and riches of the newly established Edo- tigers crouching among
based shogunate. Ieyasu’s grandson Iemitsu commissioned the bamboo groves, wild
best Kano School painters for the reception halls, in preparation herons in winter, and
frolicking peacocks.
for an imperial visit. Ironically, in 1867 the last Tokugawa shogun
resigned at Nijo-jo, in the presence of Emperor Meiji.
The painting of cherry trees on Models of daimyo
the door panels is attributed to in the Ohiroma
Kano Naonobu (1607–50). Ichi-no-ma (first
grand chamber)

Shiroshoin (shogun’s
living chambers)

Kuroshoin (inner
audience chamber)
Nijo’s garden is
This ingenious flooring is so famous for the
called because it was designed to wealth and
variety of
make bird-like squeaking sounds its rocks.
when walked upon, a warning of
possible intruders.

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