Three Imperial Palaces

A general term for the Kashikodokoro, Koreiden and Shinden in the Imperial Palace. Also known as the Three Imperial Palace Shrines, they are located in the southern part of Fukiage Gyoen Gardens in the Imperial Palace. They were built in 1889 (Meiji 22). The Kashikodokoro is in the center, with the Shinden to the east and the Koreiden to the west, all connected by a corridor. The Kashikodokoro enshrines a sacred mirror that is said to represent the spirit of Amaterasu Omikami, while the Koreiden enshrines the spirits of emperors and imperial family members since Emperor Jimmu. The Shinden was originally called Hasshinden, and was located in the Jingikan (shrine office) where eight gods, including the Kamimusubi no Kami, were enshrined. However, after the capital was moved to Tokyo in 1869, it was moved to the Imperial Palace and the eight million gods were also enshrined there, and it came to be called a Shinden.

[Sanae Yoshida]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

宮中の賢所(かしこどころ)、皇霊(こうれい)殿、神殿の総称。宮中三神殿ともいい、皇居の吹上御苑(ふきあげぎょえん)南部にある。1889年（明治22）に造営された。中央に賢所があり、東に神殿、西に皇霊殿と並び、渡り廊下で結ばれる。賢所には天照大神(あまてらすおおみかみ)の御霊代(みたましろ)とする神鏡が祀(まつ)られ、皇霊殿には神武(じんむ)天皇以来の天皇・皇族の霊が祀られている。神殿はもと八神殿といい、神祇(じんぎ)官にあって、皇霊産霊神(かみむすびのかみ)など8柱の神々を祀っていたが、1869年東京遷都ののち皇居内に移すとともに、八百万(やおよろず)神をあわせて祀り、神殿とよぶようになった。

［吉田早苗］

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