- 14 Mar 2002
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An often overlooked anecdote in Japan's history: its capital Fukuharakyō (福原京).
Kyōto was Japan's capital for over 1,000 years, from 794 to 1868. However, there was a brief six-month period when the capital was relocated to Fukuharakyō in Kobe, a fact that - according to Yomiuri - many Kyōto locals prefer not to discuss. The word "capital" originally referred to the place where the Imperial Palace sat, and people recognized Kyōto as the capital even during the Edo period when the shogunate was situated in Edo because the emperor was living in Kyōto.
The relocation of the capital to Fukuharakyō was instigated by Taira no Kiyomori (平清盛, 1118-1181), who established the Taira clan government and took with him Emperor Antoku, who had just ascended the throne at a very young age. Kiyomori's chosen location was Fukuhara, 75 kilometres west of Kyōto along the Setō Inland Sea. The place was at the foot of the Rokkō mountain range, and the Taira clan was based there by that time.
Kiyomori built a villa called Yukimi no Gosho (雪見御所) and oversaw the development and expansion of Owada no Tomari port, which was a major shipping route linking Japan with mainland China. He had amassed enormous wealth through trade between Japan and the Song Dynasty of China, and waterborne transportation flourished. However, the relocation of the capital was unexpected for many people, and despite the relocation, many aristocrats remained in Kyōto and opposed the move. The capital returned to Kyōto after only six months without fully functioning as capital. The relocation aimed to create a capital suitable for a new dynasty, but this new dynasty did not entail Kiyomori's own ascension to the throne. Kiyomori is believed to have envisioned a "new dynasty of the Taira line" in which the chief of the Taira clan would continue to hold power as the maternal grandfather of the succeeding emperor.
japannews.yomiuri.co.jp
Kyōto was Japan's capital for over 1,000 years, from 794 to 1868. However, there was a brief six-month period when the capital was relocated to Fukuharakyō in Kobe, a fact that - according to Yomiuri - many Kyōto locals prefer not to discuss. The word "capital" originally referred to the place where the Imperial Palace sat, and people recognized Kyōto as the capital even during the Edo period when the shogunate was situated in Edo because the emperor was living in Kyōto.
The relocation of the capital to Fukuharakyō was instigated by Taira no Kiyomori (平清盛, 1118-1181), who established the Taira clan government and took with him Emperor Antoku, who had just ascended the throne at a very young age. Kiyomori's chosen location was Fukuhara, 75 kilometres west of Kyōto along the Setō Inland Sea. The place was at the foot of the Rokkō mountain range, and the Taira clan was based there by that time.
Kiyomori built a villa called Yukimi no Gosho (雪見御所) and oversaw the development and expansion of Owada no Tomari port, which was a major shipping route linking Japan with mainland China. He had amassed enormous wealth through trade between Japan and the Song Dynasty of China, and waterborne transportation flourished. However, the relocation of the capital was unexpected for many people, and despite the relocation, many aristocrats remained in Kyōto and opposed the move. The capital returned to Kyōto after only six months without fully functioning as capital. The relocation aimed to create a capital suitable for a new dynasty, but this new dynasty did not entail Kiyomori's own ascension to the throne. Kiyomori is believed to have envisioned a "new dynasty of the Taira line" in which the chief of the Taira clan would continue to hold power as the maternal grandfather of the succeeding emperor.
Secrets of Kyoto / Taira no Kiyomori’s short-lived new capital dream
KYOTO — Kyoto is said to have been the capital of Japan from 794 to 1868. However, the capital was relocated to Fukuharakyo, an area stretching from the current Chuo Ward to the northern part of Hyogo Ward in Kobe for just six months during that long period of time, which is a fact that many...
japannews.yomiuri.co.jp
