Japanese Art and Architecture

What does a torii gate represent at a Shinto shrine?

Boundary between sacred and secular spaces

Which crest decorates the torii gate at Meiji Jingu Shrine?

Sixteen-petal chrysanthemum crest

What is the purpose of the temizuya (temizusha)?

Area to purify hands and mouth before worship

Which architectural style is the honden of Meiji Jingu built in?

Nagare zukuri

What type of wood is primarily used for the main shrine buildings?

Hinoki from Kiso in Nagano

When are the daily onikkusai rituals held at the honden?

8 a.m. and 2 p.m.

What is inome, a heart-shaped design seen on the Minami Shinmon gate, traditionally thought to do?

Ward off fire

Where can sacred music and dance be performed at Meiji Jingu?

Kaguraden

What is the name of the ritual that includes baby's first shrine visit and shichi-go-san?

Kigansai

What kind of omamori is inspired by the Meoto Kusu trees?

For luck in love

What does the shimenawa rope between the Meoto Kusu trees represent?

Sacred connection and warding off evil

What does the word "ema" originally mean?

Picture of a horse

What is done with the ema tablets after they are displayed?

They are burned in a ritual fire

What is required before entering the honden, the main shrine building?

Purifying your hands and mouth

Why was the iris field planted in the Inner Garden?

To comfort Empress Shoken

Where did many iris varieties originally come from?

Horikiri in Tokyo

What is Kiyomasa's Well believed to provide?

Healing and positive energy

What kind of flowers bloom at the South Pond in early summer?

Lotus and water lilies

Why are sake barrels donated to Meiji Jingu?

As respect for the kami and the Emperor

What do the wine barrels from France symbolize?

France-Japan friendship and world peace

What architectural style is the Akasaka Palace primarily built in?

Neo-Baroque

Who directed the overall construction of the Akasaka Palace?

Katayama Tōkuma

When did the palace begin serving as the State Guest House?

1974

Which room features a goddess driving a chariot of four white horses?

Asahi no Ma

What color is the carpet in the Front Entrance Hall?

Crimson

What type of marble is used for the eight Corinthian columns in the Large Hall?

Brèche Violette

Which hall is used for signing treaties and summit meetings with the Prime Minister?

Sairan no Ma

What mythical creature gives the Sairan no Ma its name?

Ran (phoenix-like bird)

Who painted the ceiling scene in Hagoromo no Ma?

A French artist

What style of decoration is used in Sairan no Ma?

Empire

Which room features 30 cloisonné medallions of seasonal birds and flowers?

Kacho no Ma

What materials are used in the checkerboard floor pattern of the Front Entrance?

Bianco Carrara marble and Miyagi slate

What style characterizes the red-carpeted grand staircase?

Neo-Baroque

What year was the Akasaka Palace designated a National Treasure?

2009

What is the function of the Yushintei annex?

Japanese-style hospitality

What unique feature is found in the chandeliers of Kacho no Ma?

Concealed speakers

What scenic element reflects sunlight into the Yushintei?

Courtyard pond

What is the setting of the Main Garden fountain?

Lower than the palace building

Who designed the cloisonné medallions in Kacho no Ma?

Watanabe Seitei

Which hall was originally known as the ballroom?

Hagoromo no Ma

How many times did the Ueno Daibutsu collapse?

Four times

The Sukibei Wall is decorated with carvings of which creatures?

Both land and sea creatures

What happened to most of the magnificent temples and holy buildings affiliated with the Kan'ei-ji Temple?

They were destroyed in the Ueno Battle of 1868.

What is gongen-zukuri?

A complex Shinto shrine structure

What is the Kiyomizu Kannon-dō Temple modeled after?

Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Kyoto

What is the legend about the two dragons on the Karamon gate pillars?

They visit the Shinobazu-no-ike Pond to drink water every night.

What is the name of the island in Shinobazu-no-ike Pond?

Naka-jima Island

What is the Tendai-shū?

One of the oldest sects of Buddhism in Japan

What is Ueno Tōshōgū?

A shrine in Tokyo

What was Shinobazu-no-ike Pond originally?

An inlet of Tokyo Bay

What was the original purpose of Toeizan Kan'ei-ji Temple?

To protect the northeastern gate of the Edo Castle

Which of the following is still present at the site of Toeizan Kan'ei-ji Temple?

All of the above

What was the title given to the imperial prince who was appointed as the head priest of Kan'ei-ji Temple?

Rinno-ji-no Miya

Who built the Benten-dō Temple?

Both A and B

Who depicted Kiyomizu Kannon-dō Temple in ukiyo-e?

UTAGAWA, Hiroshige

Who is enshrined at Ueno Tōshōgū, in addition to Ieyasu?

Yoshinobu and Yoshimune

Who painted the dragon mural on the ceiling of Benten-dō Temple?

Kibō Kodama

Who was the main image of the Benten-dō Temple?

Happi Benzaiten

Who was TOKUGAWA, Ieyasu?

The founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate

Who erected Toeizan Kan'ei-ji temple in Ueno?

Tenkai

What was the founder's original business at the old Gajoen?

A Japanese restaurant

What happened in 1988 that led to the demolition of part of the old Gajoen?

A construction project for Meguro river

What designation did Hyakudan Kaidan receive in 2009?

Tokyo Metropolitan Area designated tangible cultural property

What is the style of the sliding door frames of the Jippo Room?

Hemp leaf pattern

What is the Gyosho Room named after?

A Chinese theme

Who created the sculptures in the Gyosho Room?

Horei Sakari

What is depicted in the panels in the upper portion of the walls of the Gyosho Room?

The five ceremonies held by the Heian period court

What is the significance of the pagoda tree?

All of the above

What is the theme of the paintings on the ceiling in the main chamber of the Soukyu Room?

Birds

Who painted the Chinese phoenixes and dancing cranes on the ceiling of the far room?

Shūho Ikegami

What is the material used to make the pillar in the alcove of the Seisui Room?

Amur cork tree

What is the theme of the Seikou Room paintings?

Seasons of the year

Which of the following is NOT depicted in the Seikou Room?

Grapes

What makes the paintings in the Seikou Room special?

The use of highly durable mineral based pigments

What is the subject of the painting above the alcove in the main chamber of the Kiyokata Room?

A scene from a kabuki play

What is the significance of the purple irises in the painting depicting Shirai Gonpachi?

They symbolize his love for Komurasaki

What is the significance of the Kitayama Cider Naturally Protruded and Carved Logs?

They are a rare and expensive type of wood

Why does the staircase in The Summit Room have only 99 steps?

Both A and B

Who designed the interiors of the principal rooms of the Prince Asaka Residence?

Henri Rapin

Who was the architect in charge of designing the building of the Prince Asaka Residence?

Gondo Yokichi

Why has the Prince Asaka Residence been designated as one of the Japanese nation's Important Cultural Properties?

Because it accurately embodies the Art Deco style.

How many tearooms are there in the Kouka Teahouse?

Three

Why was the ryureiseki created?

To cater for overseas guests

What does Sekimori-ishi mean?

Keep-out stone

What is one of the unique features of the elevator at the NACT?

It has no close button.

Who was the chief architect of the National Art Center, Tokyo (NACT)?

Kisho Kurokawa

What is the shape of the NACT's Main Entrance?

Conic

How many exhibition galleries are located on the first to third floors of the NACT?

12

What is the approximate total floor area of the NACT?

50,000 square meters

Where is the restaurant located in the NACT?

Above the large Cone

What material is used for the vertical louvers on the Suntory Museum of Art's exterior?

White porcelain

Which concept inspired the lighting design of the Hikari-kabe (Light Wall)?

Traditional Japanese lanterns

When did the NACT open in Tokyo?

2007

What kind of atmosphere does the Suntory Museum of Art aim to create?

An urban living room

Which floor of the NACT features the Art Library and Auditorium?

Third floor

What is one advantage of the floor-blown air conditioning at the NACT?

Helps reduce dust

What is the architectural inspiration behind the NACT's glass curtain wall design?

Mountain ridge or shoreline

What is unique about the light emitted from the ring at the Main Entrance of the NACT?

It emits light from above and below

What type of wood was used in the flooring of the Suntory Museum of Art?

White oak from whiskey barrels

Which museum was Kurokawa's last completed art museum project?

NACT