On November 24, 2025, the Kan’ei Culture Lecture, “The Authority of the Tokugawa Shogunal House: The Structure and Transformation of Nijo Castle,” was held, organized by the Kan’ei Gyoko 400th Anniversary Commemoration Executive Committee and co-hosted by Living History KYOTO.
The lecture was delivered by Shinichi Saito, Curator at the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum (Tokyo Metropolitan Government).
In preparation for welcoming Emperor Go-Mizunoo, Nijo Castle underwent large-scale renovations. Focusing on features such as the tenshu (castle keep) and stone walls, whose styles differed from those of the Keichō period, Mr. Saito explored the intentions held by Tokugawa Hidetada and his son Iemitsu in advance of the Kan’ei Gyoko. He also discussed where and how the authority of the Tokugawa family was expressed within Nijo Castle, illustrating his talk with photographs of castles from across Japan.
Through this lecture, participants were able to gain a tangible sense of how the Kan’ei Gyoko marked a major turning point in Japanese history.
Our sincere thanks go to Mr. Saito and to all those who attended.
