The Imperial Dais in the
First Room of the New Palace
The New Palace was the last section
of the main house to be built and is located in the westernmost portion
of the structure. It was first constructed in the 1650’s, but was
then remodeled during the visit of ex-Emperor Go-Mizunoo in the spring
of 1663. It is far more lavishly decorated than any of the previous
structures. Pay particular note to the famous "Katsura Shelving."
These shelves provide a perfect example of the Japanese love of abstraction
of geometric form. The way the rectangular shapes interact with one
another remind the viewer a Mondrian work. It was this quality, among
others, that would make modern architects and artists pay particular attention
to Katsura.
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