Akamon (Tokyo)
{{Short description|Historical Japanese gate}}
{{Infobox monument
| name = Akamon
| native_name = 赤門
| image = Akamon, University of Tokyo 2019.jpg
| caption = Front view of the Akamon
| location = 7 Chome-3-1 Hongō, Bunkyō, Tokyo 〒 113-0033
| type = gate (mon)
| material = wood?
| length =
| width =
| height =
| complete = 1827 (late Edo period)
| open =
| restore =
| dismantled =
| coordinates = {{coord|35.71062|139.76035|format=dms|type:landmark_region:JP|display=inline,title}}
| website =
}}
{{nihongo|Akamon|赤門|Red gate}} is a historical gate (mon) located in the Bunkyō ward of Tokyo, Japan.
One of two remaining gates of the Edo period daimyō mansions in the city (the other one is Kuromon, currently located in the Tokyo National Museum).
It was constructed in 1827 in the late Edo period in the residence of the Maeda clan in Edo. The purpose of the gate was to welcome Lady Yasu-hime, a daughter of Tokugawa Ienari, as a bride for Nariyasu Maeda.
It is currently located in the grounds of the University of Tokyo, and it has been designated an Important Cultural Property.{{cite web |url=https://www.japanvisitor.com/tokyo/tokyo-university |title=Tokyo University |author= |date= |website= |publisher=Japan Visitor |access-date=2017-12-25 |quote=}} Before World War II it was registered as a National Treasure.{{cite web |url=http://www.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/whyutokyo/hongo_hi_007.html |title=Akamon Gate (Goshuden-mon of the former Maeda Clan's Residence) |author= |date= |website= |publisher=University of Tokyo |access-date=2017-12-25 |quote=}}
History
Akamon was built in 1827 in the residence of the Maeda clan in Edo by Nariyasu Maeda (1811-1884),{{cite web |url=https://old-tokyo.info/tokyo-red-gate-tokyo-university-akamon/ |title=Only in Tokyo: The red gate of Tokyo University (Akamon) |author= |date= 20 August 2017|website= |publisher=Exploring Old Tokyo |access-date=2017-12-25 |quote=}} the 12th Lord of the Kaga. This residence stood in what is now the Hongo Campus of the University of Tokyo.{{cite web |url=http://www.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/whyutokyo/hongo_hi_007.html |title=Akamon Gate (Goshuden-mon of the former Maeda Clan's Residence) |author= |date= |website= |publisher=University of Tokyo |access-date=2017-12-25 |quote=}} The occasion for building the gate was to welcome Lady Yasu (1813-1868), the 21st{{cite web |url=https://old-tokyo.info/tokyo-red-gate-tokyo-university-akamon/ |title=Only in Tokyo: The red gate of Tokyo University (Akamon) |author= |date= 20 August 2017|website= |publisher=Exploring Old Tokyo |access-date=2017-12-25 |quote=}} daughter of Tokugawa Ienari (1773–1841), the 11th Tokugawa shōgun, as a bride for Nariyasu Maeda.{{cite web |url=http://www.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/whyutokyo/hongo_hi_007.html |title=Akamon Gate (Goshuden-mon of the former Maeda Clan's Residence) |author= |date= |website= |publisher=University of Tokyo |access-date=2017-12-25 |quote=}}
The Maeda clan was one of the most powerful samurai families in Japan. They ruled the Kaga Domain, which was associated to the provinces of Kaga, Noto and Etchū in modern-day Ishikawa Prefecture and Toyama Prefecture on the island of Honshū.
In 1903 the gate became the entrance for the University of Tokyo.{{cite web |url=https://old-tokyo.info/tokyo-red-gate-tokyo-university-akamon/ |title=Only in Tokyo: The red gate of Tokyo University (Akamon) |author= |date= 20 August 2017|website= |publisher=Exploring Old Tokyo |access-date=2017-12-25 |quote=}}
At the end of the Meiji period (1868-1912), it was moved to its current location, 15 meters west of where it originally stood.{{cite web |url=http://www.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/whyutokyo/hongo_hi_007.html |title=Akamon Gate (Goshuden-mon of the former Maeda Clan's Residence) |author= |date= |website= |publisher=University of Tokyo |access-date=2017-12-25 |quote=}}
The gate was closed in February 2021 over structural integrity concerns. An inspection revealed that the gate may collapse during an earthquake or typhoon. The university plans to eventually reinforce the gate's column bases and lighten the 30 ton roof to make it safe enough to re-open.{{cite news|url=https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/society/general-news/20241011-216134/|date=October 11, 2024|publisher=Yomiuri Shimbun|access-date=June 13, 2025|work=The Japan News |title=Famous Red Gate at Univ. Of Tokyo Said in Danger of Collapse in Case of Earthquake or Strong Wind; Reinforcement Work Planned }}
Access
Akamon is located in the grounds of the Hongo Campus in the University of Tokyo.{{cite web |url=http://www.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/whyutokyo/hongo_hi_007.html |title=Akamon Gate (Goshuden-mon of the former Maeda Clan's Residence) |author= |date= |website= |publisher=University of Tokyo |access-date=2017-12-25 |quote=}} There is no entrance fee.{{cite web |url=https://old-tokyo.info/tokyo-red-gate-tokyo-university-akamon/ |title=Only in Tokyo: The red gate of Tokyo University (Akamon) |author= |date= 20 August 2017|website= |publisher=Exploring Old Tokyo |access-date=2017-12-25 |quote=}}
It can be seen from the street. Although previously open to the public, it is currently closed due to fears of collapse during an earthquake or typhoon.
References
{{reflist|2}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- [http://www.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/whyutokyo/hongo_hi_007.html Akamon website at the University of Tokyo]
{{University of Tokyo}}
Category:Buildings and structures in Bunkyō