Hagoromo no Ma

A Stunning Ballroom Where the Heavenly Maiden Dances

Situated on the west side of the State Guest House, Hagoromo no Ma is so called for the large ceiling painting inspired by a passage from the Noh play Hagoromo ("Robe of Heaven"). A grand space in shades of gold and scarlet, adorned with mirrors, it was formerly referred to as the ballroom. It also hosts ceremonial welcomes in inclement weather, or serves pre-dinner drinks for guests.

Highlights

Looking up at the ceiling, the sky opens up above, almost as if one was looking up from a courtyard within the building.

Ceiling Painting Inspired by the Noh Play Hagoromo ("Robe of Heaven")

The ceiling is a French artist's interpretation of a passage from the Noh play Hagoromo, "Flower petals are dancing in the sky. I hear music. A wonderful perfume fills the air." Adopting the perspective of a viewer standing in the building's courtyard looking heavenward, the painting depicts the immediate aftermath of a heavenly maiden alighting on Earth. Plumes of fragrant smoke billow from censers painted on all four corners and the air is filled with a flurry of red and pink flowers.

A large chandelier made up primarily of crystals hangs from the ceiling.

The Most Magnificent Chandeliers in the Palace

The three chandeliers that light this hall are the largest and most ornate in the Akasaka Palace, comprising approximately 7,000 separate parts, most of them crystal. The scintillating ornamentation includes ballroom motifs such as European-style masks and musical instruments.

A photo of the orchestra box in Hagoromo no Ma. The orchestra box is built on a second floor within the room. It's red decorative curtains and gilded stucco relief are distinctive.

Musicians' Gallery

The mezzanine on the north end of the space holds a musicians' gallery, where music was played during balls.

The walls near the doors are decorated with gilded stucco reliefs. A pattern of violins and other Western instruments is combined with traditional Japanese instruments, like the lute (biwa) and hand drum (tsuzumi).

Wall Relief

The reliefs on the walls show European-style masks and Western musical instruments like the violin, and Japanese musical instruments including the biwa lute and tsuzumi drum, combining motifs from the East and the West.

A photo of the ceiling painting in Hagoromo no Ma. The image is painted with a technique called

Trompe-l'oeil Ceiling

Painted pillars and chimneys are laid out to force an illusion of three-dimensional objects, depending on where the viewer stands.

A photo of the grand piano in the Hagoromo no Ma. A gold and white piano stands in the middle of the grand room, in front of a white wall intricated decorated in gold, with an orchestra box with red curtains.

Érard (French) Grand Piano

Purchased in 1906 when the Crown Prince’s Palace was built to be placed in the Hagoromo no Ma. It is decorated with special ornaments along with the imperial chrysanthemum crest.

A photo of a wood panel intricately inlaid with gold to form a geometric pattern.

Kirikane Folding Screen (Work of Living National Treasure Saita Baitei)

Kirikane is a type of traditional craft. Gold, silver, and other types of foil are cut into long, thin lines, triangles, and squares, then glued together to create the design.

For those who wish to pay a visit

You may pay for a visit without prior reservation/with sign-in reception on the day of your visit.