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The State Guest House, Akasaka Palace [SP] The State Guest House, Akasaka Palace [PC]

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  1. State Guest Houses
  2. State Guest House, Akasaka Palace
  3. Kacho no Ma

Kacho no Ma

A photo of the whole of Kacho no Ma. The walls are paneled in rich red-brown Japanese ash, and the room has a calm feeling.

A Place Redolent of Princely Grandeur

The name Kacho no Ma (Hall of Flowers and Birds) originates in the oil paintings on the ceiling and the cloisonné panels on the walls, all with floral and avian themes. This was once the banquet hall, and is still used mainly for state banquets as well as for press conferences.

Highlights

A photo of the cloisonné work inset in the walls of Kacho no Ma. From left, the cloisonné panels are in order of,

Cloisonné Medallions of Flowers and Birds of the Four Seasons

The ash paneling from Kiso is mounted with 30 oval cloisonné medallions, depicting four seasons' flowers and birds. The pieces were crafted by the great cloisonné master Namikawa Sōsuke according to a design created by Watanabe Seitei, the iconic nihonga artist of the Meiji era. The enameling achieves the characteristic shading and gradation of nihonga to perfection, and these medallions have been called masterpieces of Japanese cloisonné.

A photo of a ceiling painting in Kacho no Ma. A peacock and flowers are painted in oils on the coffered ceiling.

Ceiling Art Fit for Banquets

The painted, coffered ceiling boasts 24 oils by a French artist and 12 gilded panels overlaid with patterns. The paintings at the four corners depict birds and wildlife killed by hunting.

A photo of the chandeliers in Kacho no Ma. Shimmering in gold, they appear very stately.

Chandeliers Fitted with Speakers

The heaviest of the chandeliers in the Akasaka Palace at 1,125 kilograms each are fitted with spherical speakers.

A photo of the sideboard in Kacho no Ma. There is a large mirror atop the carved wooden sideboard, and towards the top, the Imperial chrysanthemum emblem can be seen.

Large Credenza of Elaborately Carved Wood

Brought from France at the time of the Palace's construction, this massive cabinet bears the imperial chrysanthemum emblem.

A photo of the woven tapestry art in Kacho no Ma. The design is made with Nishijin weaving, and depicts a deer hunt with several hunting dogs.

Gobelin-style Tapestry (Tsuzure-nishiki from Nishijin)

Flanking the credenza are tapestries depicting a deer hunt, with hunting dogs.