OKAZAKI IN KYOTO THE CONSERVATION OF SUBURBAN AREA IN THE HISTORICAL CITY

Okazaki area, east of Kyoto city, was built as an important noble and religious place in the Heian
period (794-1185). We supposed that at the end of the 16th century there would be settlements
enclosed by fossa similar to landscapes represented in Rakuchu Rakugai-zu, a series of paintings of
Kyoto by local artists, which is one of the most important urban iconographies of Japan. In the Edo
period (1603-1867) Okazaki area assumed the role of suburban agricultural zone which provided the
food production to the urban habitants. It also could be the place of scenic beauty in which the
intellectuals commonly lived there. But after the Meiji Restoration, the role of Okazaki area changed
completely. In 1885, Kyoto prefecture started the great public canalization project as the water supply
between Kyoto and Otsu of Shiga prefecture. Kyoto prefecture also planed the industrial district
construction in Okazaki area. In 1895 pavilion buildings were built for the 4th Inner National
Exhibition of Japan and at the same time Heian-Jingū Shrine was constructed for the millennium
ceremony for foundation of Kyoto city. After that the territory prepared for the exhibition was reused
for the cultural district. The cottage area of bourgeois and politicians was created at the eastern part of
Okazaki area. The canal project accompanied the electric generation plant. Okazaki area became the
symbol of the modernization of Kyoto city. This contribution intends to analyze the different styles of
architecture especially constructed after the Meiji period which are the main components of the
Historic Urban Landscape of Okazaki area. Tangible and intangible signs remained as modern
gardens, significant museums and cultural institutions among the ancient temples provide
opportunities to reflect on the important role of Okazaki area of the historical city. These studies are
supported by archival documents and with current measures and policies for landscape conservation
by Kyoto Municipality. This contribution will analyze also important and actual interventions of
restoration in Okazaki area.