2019年10月10日

The imperial accession rites, or gotairei in Japanese, is a general term for all the ceremonies conducted in association with the accession of a new emperor. This year's exhibition focuses on materials held in the Kiko Collection of the Special Collections Room that are connected with the imperial accession rites of the Meiji and Taisho Emperors, as well as some relating to Kiko Kiyoyoshi and his son Kōzaburō, both of whom were involved in those rites. The Kiko Collection comprises design drawings, texts, photographs, and illustrations handed down in the Kiko household, which handled construction work in the imperial palaces for generations. Most of these materials relate to the constructions that Kiyoyoshi and Kōzaburō were involved with, including many, such as the Meiji Palace, directly connected with the imperial family and its branches.

Period

October 26 (Sat) to November 10 (Sun), 2019 *Closed: November 7 (Thu)
10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. *November 1,5,6,8 : 10 a.m. to 8:45 p.m.

This exhibition has been closed.

Venue

Tokyo Metropolitan Central Library 4F
[The first exhibition] Exhibition Room, [The second exhibition] Multipurpose Hall

Exhibition outline

（1）The first exhibition (Exhibition Room)

The first exhibition space (Exhibition Room) contains around 40 exhibits, mainly design drawings from the Kiko Collection that were produced for the accession rites of the Meiji and Taisho Emperors, as well as colorful ukiyoe woodblock prints (nishikie) and photographs from the era. It also showcases materials related to Edo/Tokyo from the Tokyo Shiryō Collection, which was founded with an imperial donation in commemoration of the accession of the Taishō Emperor. These include design drawings from the Materials on the Construction of Edo Castle (designated important Cultural Properties) passed down in the Kōra household.

（2）The second exhibition (Multipurpose Hall)

The second exhibition space (Multipurpose Hall) includes copies of design drawings from Edo Castle and ukiyoe woodblock prints (nishikie) on the theme of Shogunal succession in the Edo era. This exhibition is designed for visitors to enjoy Edo Castle to the full, with other features including a design drawing of the Front and Central Palaces of the Honmaru Main Keep on a panel display of approximately 20 square meters, and a spot where visitors can take photographs against a backdrop of the main tower of Edo Castle.

A part of the exhibit

"Painted Fan showing the Sokuirei Ceremony for the Taisho Emperor"