Hata Clan’s Hidden Role in Kyoto’s Birth
Understanding Japanese History Through Curses (Tatari)
Some articles have been written about Kyoto, but starting with this one, I aim to open a gateway to deeper understanding, allowing you to experience Japan’s premier tourist destination on a level beyond ordinary travelers. This is essentially about reading Kyoto in ways that aren’t covered in guidebooks.
The Japanese word “Kyoto” (京都) literally means “capital city,” originating from the presence of the imperial residence (now the Kyoto Imperial Palace). Historically, any city housing an imperial residence was referred to as a “Kyo” (京), making the contemporary name “Kyoto” somewhat peculiar. Reflecting on this helps in understanding Tokyo as well. During the Meiji period, when political maneuvering forced the emperor to relocate from Kyoto to Edo, the new government was reluctant to continue using “Edo,” which symbolized the Tokugawa shogunate. Therefore, under the pretext of welcoming the emperor, they renamed the city “Tokyo” (東京), meaning “Eastern Capital.” Thus, Tokyo was temporarily branded as the “Imperial Capital” (帝都, Teito) during the pre-war era, differentiating it from Kyoto in a strategic move by the new government.
The turning point marking the beginning of Kyoto’s history was in the year 794, when, for the first time, the imperial residence and political center were moved into the Kyoto Basin. Such relocations, historically referred to as “sengu” (遷宮, relocation of a imperial palace) or “sento” (遷都, relocation of the capital), were not mere administrative moves but deeply tied to the beliefs of the era’s people. Grasping this concept is fundamental yet challenging, as from a modern perspective, these reasons seem both unscientific and heavily influenced by magical thinking. Nevertheless, this is precisely where one finds the frontline of understanding Heian-kyo (平安京).