“Is this where it happened?” a tourist asks. We are standing at \u5e73\u5b89\u4eac\u4e8c\u6761\u5927\u8def\u5317\u5074\u5074\u6e9d\u907a\u8de1 in Kyoto. This site whispers tales of ancient Kyoto. It reveals how the city evolved over centuries.
\u5e73\u5b89\u4eac\u4e8c\u6761\u5927\u8def\u5317\u5074\u5074\u6e9d\u907a\u8de1 is more than just an archaeological site. It is a window into the past. It shows us the shifts in Kyoto’s landscape. Imagine this area during the Heian period. \u5e73\u5b89\u4eac\u4e8c\u6761\u5927\u8def was a major avenue. It marked the southern edge of the Great Inner Palace.
Originally, \u5e73\u5b89\u4eac\u4e8c\u6761\u5927\u8def was vast. It spanned approximately 51 meters wide. This made it one of the broadest east-west roads. Only Zhuque Avenue surpassed it in size. The road served to separate the palace from the secular world.
Excavations at \u5e73\u5b89\u4eac\u4e8c\u6761\u5927\u8def\u5317\u5074\u5074\u6e9d\u907a\u8de1 reveal a fascinating story. The northern ditch of \u4e8c\u6761\u5927\u8def shifted southward. This happened progressively from the early Heian period into the Edo period. Over time, the northern edge of \u4e8c\u6761\u5927\u8def’s building plots also advanced southwards. Similar shifts occurred in the Ukyo section of the capital.
During the Heian era, \u5e73\u5b89\u4eac\u4e8c\u6761\u5927\u8def was lined with important structures. There were dormitories for lower officials. Also, a Daigakuryo was here. This was an institution for educating government officials. Mansions of powerful figures also dotted the landscape. These included Higashi Sanjo Palace and Horikawa Palace. They shaped the avenue’s character.
Even after the decline of the Inner Palace, \u5e73\u5b89\u4eac\u4e8c\u6761\u5927\u8def retained importance. It was a vital route to Saga. By the late Heian period, it became central to Shirakawa.
The “Tale of Heiji” describes a battle here. Minamoto no Yoshihira and Taira no Shigemori clashed near Horikawa. After the Inner Palace burned down in 1227, Kangan’in became the official palace. It lay south of \u5e73\u5b89\u4eac\u4e8c\u6761\u5927\u8def. During this time, special districts emerged. “阵中” was north of the avenue. “裏築地” was a protective embankment.
During the Onin War, \u5e73\u5b89\u4eac\u4e8c\u6761\u5927\u8def became a battlefield. Fires ravaged the area. By the Muromachi period, the avenue defined the boundary. It separated the upper and lower parts of Kyoto. The avenue marked the northern limit of Kyoto’s commercial district.
Today, \u5e73\u5b89\u4eac\u4e8c\u6761\u5927\u8def\u5317\u5074\u5074\u6e9d\u907a\u8de1 is a testament to Kyoto’s dynamic past. Although the grand avenue is gone, its story lives on. It shows us the resilience and evolution of this ancient city. The echoes of emperors, officials, and battles resonate here. They enrich our understanding of Kyoto’s rich heritage.