Toba detached palace is a general term for the detached palace complex begun by Retired Emperor Shirakawa in 1086, and later extended and renovated by Retired Emperor Toba and others, in the marshy belt south of the Heian capital. It was composed of five districts including the Southern and Northern palaces, with each district consisting of an imperial residence, a Buddha hall and a garden. Its magnificence and splendor is known from many documents and scrolls, including Fusō ryakki. Excavations in recent years have uncovered an yarimizu stream and pebble beach of the garden pond in the Eastern palace, and a waterfall stone arrangement and pebble beach at Kongōshin'in temple. Akinoyama hill in the Southern palace is the only garden facility remaining above ground. Part of the grounds have been designated a national historic site; it is located in Fushimi ward, Kyoto.
Japanese Garden Dictionary: A Glossary for Japanese Gardens and Their History
(C) 2010 by Ono Kenkichi and Walter Edwards. All rights reserved.
