Last Post (for Kyoto) and a Stunning Finale

Kyoto was the Imperial capital of Japan for a very long time - over 1000 years, but that ended with (a) the Meiji restoration in 1867 triggered by Admiral Perry sailing his US warship into Tokyo Bay in 1864 and (b) the transfer of the capital to Edo (now Tokyo) in 1869.

So Kyoto was left with a very big imperial palace redolent with history, and it is now a major tourist attraction. Indeed, we were at the palace's office at 8.45 am to ensure that we obtained tickets for the 2 pm English language tour of the site. Michael and I remembered to take our passports, for reservations were reputed to be impossible without them. This brought to mind that delegates to our recent conference had been screened by airport-style metal detectors when trying to attend the opening ceremony conducted by Crown Prince Naruhito a few days earlier. It now seems to me that anything 'royal' requires careful scrutiny.

Although the 2 pm tour was in 'English', that term included just about anyone who was not Japanese. Our party could have just left the UN General Assembly in New York given the massive number of different languages being spoken. Anyway we all trooped off following our guide holding the usual flag aloft and zig-zagged through a maze of impressive buildings that are now more of a museum than a home:

Some buildings were adorned in gold leaf.

In others we saw lovely screens or wall paintings.

Details around doors and windows were often fascinating.

The site was awash with large courtyards.

And ornamental gates.

And here is the important ceremonial building where all Japanese emperors other than current one were enthroned, even after the removal of the capital to what is now Tokyo.

There were yet more lovely gardens.

And lovely woodwork to the imperial residence.

AS