Kuromon (Tokyo)

Kuromon (黒門, Black gate) is an historical gate (mon) located in the Taitō ward of Tokyo, Japan.

Kuromon
黒門
front view of the Kuromon
35°43′05″N 139°46′29″E
Location13-9 Uenokoen, Taitō, Tokyo 〒 110-8712
Typegate (mon)
Materialdark wood
Completion datelate Edo period (late 18th century or early 19th century)

One of two remaining gates of the Edo period daimyō mansions in the city (the other one is Akamon, currently located in the University of Tokyo).

The exact date in which it was first constructed is not known, but the consensus is that it dates from the late Edo period, probably from the late 18th century or early 19th century.[1][2]

It is currently located in the grounds of the Tokyo National Museum, and it has been designated an Important Cultural Property.

History

The Kuromon was first built as the main gate of the Edo mansion of the Ikeda clan branch from the Tottori Domain,[3] which included the Inaba Province and Hōki Province in the modern-day Tottori Prefecture.[4] The mansion was located in the Marunouchi area (now Marunouchi 3-chome),[5] and was part of the daimyō kōji (大名小路, daimyo alley),[6] which included 24 such mansions.

In 1892 the gate was moved to Meiji-era Tōgū Palace in Akasaka, Tokyo, and some time later to the residence of Prince Takamatsu (1905–1987), the third son of Emperor Taishō.[7][8][9] It was designated an Important Cultural Property[10] in September 1951. Finally in March 1954 it was moved to its final location in the Tokyo National Museum and rebuilt there.[11][12]

Architecture

The gate, made in dark wood, has a large hipped-gable roof construction, with smaller karahafu rooves on the sides, covering the guards' chambers.[13][14]

Access

Kuromon is located in the grounds of the Tokyo National Museum,[15] but it can be seen from the outside with no admission fee.[16] The gate can also be seen more closely from inside the museum, by purchasing an entrance ticket.[17] On Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, between 10 am and 4 pm, the gate is opened and visitors can walk through it.[18]

References
  1. "Kuromon ("Black Gate")". Only in Tokyo: Black gate in Ueno (Kuromon). Retrieved 2017-12-25.
  2. "Kuromon ("Black Gate")". Official Tokyo Travel Guide. Retrieved 2017-12-25.
  3. "Outdoor Exhibits". Tokyo National Museum. Retrieved 2017-12-25.
  4. "Kuromon ("Black Gate")". Only in Tokyo: Black gate in Ueno (Kuromon). Retrieved 2017-12-25.
  5. "Outdoor Exhibits". Tokyo National Museum. Retrieved 2017-12-25.
  6. "Kuromon ("Black Gate")". Official Tokyo Travel Guide. Retrieved 2017-12-25.
  7. "Outdoor Exhibits". Tokyo National Museum. Retrieved 2017-12-25.
  8. "Kuromon ("Black Gate")". Official Tokyo Travel Guide. Retrieved 2017-12-25.
  9. "Kuromon ("Black Gate")". Only in Tokyo: Black gate in Ueno (Kuromon). Retrieved 2017-12-25.
  10. "Accessibility Information - Main Gate area and TNM site". Tokyo National Museum. Retrieved 2017-12-25.
  11. "Kuromon ("Black Gate")". Official Tokyo Travel Guide. Retrieved 2017-12-25.
  12. "Kuromon ("Black Gate")". Only in Tokyo: Black gate in Ueno (Kuromon). Retrieved 2017-12-25.
  13. "Outdoor Exhibits". Tokyo National Museum. Retrieved 2017-12-25.
  14. "Kuromon ("Black Gate")". Official Tokyo Travel Guide. Retrieved 2017-12-25.
  15. "Kuromon ("Black Gate")". Official Tokyo Travel Guide. Retrieved 2017-12-25.
  16. "Kuromon ("Black Gate")". Exploring Old Tokyo. Retrieved 2017-12-25.
  17. "Accessibility Information - Main Gate area and TNM site". Tokyo National Museum. Retrieved 2017-12-25.
  18. "Accessibility Information - Main Gate area and TNM site". Tokyo National Museum. Retrieved 2017-12-25.
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