In 1968, we produced and installed hand-knotted Dantsu carpets for the new Imperial Palace. The project was led by architect Junzo Yoshimura and the Temporary Imperial Palace Construction Department of the Imperial Household Agency.

These hand-knotted Dantsu carpets were placed in key rooms, such as the “Spring and Autumn Room,” “Wave Room,” “Stone Bridge Room,” “Chidori Room,” “Chigusa Room,” and the East Lobby. We also created custom carpets for every space in the Main Audience Room.

Photographs from that time, still preserved in our workshop, capture the production, inspection, and shipping processes. They reveal the immense scale of the craftsmanship and the intense focus required.

One of the standout designs is “Clouds,” laid in the “Spring and Autumn Room,” created by Nihonga painter Nei Sugiyama.

Incorporating such a vast expanse of hand-knotted Dantsu, both patterned and plain, into a single architectural project is a rare accomplishment in the history of Japanese carpeting.

New Imperial Palace

Year of Installation: 1968
Location: Chiyoda, Tokyo
Basic Design: Junzo Yoshimura
Detailed Design: Temporary Imperial Palace Construction Department, Imperial Household Agency

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1968年、建築家・吉村順三、宮内庁臨時皇居造営部の設計による皇居新宮殿造営に際し、長和殿「春秋の間」「波の間」「石橋の間」「千鳥の間」「千草の間」「東ロビー」に手織緞通及び、表御座室全室のじゅうたんを製作納入いたしました。

工房に残る当時の製作・検査・出荷風景。その大きなスケールの手仕事と緊張感が伝わってきます。「春秋の間」に敷かれた印象的な図柄「雲」は、日本画家・杉山寧によるものです。

柄物と無地を含めて、これだけの平米数の手織緞通がひとつの建築に収められたのは、日本のじゅうたんの歴史の中でも稀有なことでした。

皇居新宮殿

納入：1968年
所在地：東京、千代田
基本設計：吉村順三
実施設計：宮内庁臨時皇居造営部

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text by Takashi Watanabe | 渡邊貴志