Takamikura - Takamikura

The seat on which the Emperor sits during ceremonies such as the enthronement, Daijoe, and Choga. It also refers to the Imperial Throne itself. At Heijo Palace it was set up in the Daigokuden, and at Heian Palace it was set up in the Daigokuden, Burakuden, and Butokuden. After the Daigokuden burned down in 1177 (Jisho 1), it was also set up in the Shishinden. Currently, the Shishinden at the Kyoto Imperial Palace is the one that was used for the enthronement ceremonies of the Taisho, Showa, and Heisei eras.

A two-tiered platform was built in the center of the main building of the Daigokuden, with steps on the east, west, and north sides, and an octagonal roof built on eight pillars. Large and small phoenix statues and mirrors were decorated on the top of the roof, and gyokuhan (a flag-like structure made of strings of jewels) were hung on each side of the roof, and twill curtains were hung, with twill cloth covering the surrounding platform. Inside, tatami mats and mats were piled up, and the Emperor's throne was set up.

However, as the political arena shifted to the Imperial Palace, the Daigokuden seems to have fallen into disrepair. The "Okagami" contains a story demonstrating Fujiwara Michinaga's boldness, in which he goes to the Daigokuden as a test of his courage as a young man, and chips away a piece of the Takamikura pillar and brings it back as evidence.

[Sanae Yoshida]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

即位、大嘗会(だいじょうえ)、朝賀(ちょうが)などの儀式のときに天皇の着す座。皇位そのものも意味する。平城宮では大極殿(だいごくでん)に、平安宮では大極殿・豊楽(ぶらく)殿・武徳(ぶとく)殿に設けられた。1177年（治承1）に大極殿が焼亡したのちは、紫宸(ししん)殿に設けられたこともある。現在京都御所の紫宸殿には大正・昭和・平成の即位式に使用されたものが残されている。

　大極殿の母屋(もや)の中央に二段の壇をつくり、東西北三方に階(かい)を設け、8本の柱を立てて八角形の屋形(やかた)を据える。その蓋(かさ)の上には大小の鳳凰(ほうおう)の像と鏡を飾り、屋形の各面には玉幡(ぎょくはん)（玉を連ねて旗のようにしたもの）を垂らし、綾(あや)の帳(とばり)をかけ、周囲の壇上には綾布を敷き詰める。内部には畳や茵(しとね)を重ね、天皇の座を設けた。

　しかし、政治の場が内裏に移行するにつれて、大極殿は荒廃していったらしく、『大鏡』には藤原道長(みちなが)の豪胆さを示す話として、若いころ大極殿に胆試(きもだめ)しに行き、証拠品として高御座の柱を少し削って持ち帰ったことが書かれている。

［吉田早苗］

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