Slipping back in time, let’s explore Yamashiro Province. Here, marked by this boundary stone, Yamashiro-1, you stand on land steeped in history. Yamashiro was once a powerful province, the heart of Japan’s imperial court. Yamashiro, meaning “mountain castle,” housed the capital for centuries. Kyoto itself resided within Yamashiro. In 794 AD, Emperor Kanmu established the capital here. He cleverly used the surrounding landscape as a natural fortress. For a long time, the name Yamashiro was written with characters meaning “mountain” and “era.” Later, because of Emperor Kanmu’s strategic choice, the character for “era” was changed to “castle.” This is why we know it as Yamashiro. The change even influenced the pronunciation of the word “castle” in Japanese. The province played a crucial role during the Muromachi period too. It served as the seat of the Ashikaga shogunate. The province’s importance is echoed in its classification as an “upper province” in the Engishiki. Yamashiro wasn’t just a political center. It held spiritual significance as well. The Kamo Shrines, Kamigamo and Shimogamo, were designated as the chief Shinto shrines of the province. This highlights the province’s importance in the spiritual landscape of Japan. Imagine the bustling activity of this province centuries ago, the emperors, shoguns, and priests moving through these very lands. Yamashiro-1, this humble boundary stone, represents a powerful past, a testament to a time when emperors reigned and shoguns ruled.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to