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The Grand Hall offers a venue for large meetings
and ceremonies and plays a central role in welcoming state and official
guests. The hall is an opulent space where traditional Japanese materials
are used in abundance.
The wall behind the seat for the guest of honor is covered with Japanese paper.
When the wall is illuminated from behind, it looks like a surreal "wall of lights," an
image of the andon, the traditional oil lampshade with a wood frame and
paper shade. Maple, a traditional material in Japanese architecture, is used
for the walls and the ceiling.
Coming down, the entirety of the 400 square meter floor is laid with a splendid
cherry blossom-colored carpet. The pattern of the carpet by the "wall of lights" is
of cherry tree branches in full bloom, while in the middle it is of flower petals
dancing in the wind, and by the opposite wall it is of cherry blossoms.
Banquets in the former Kantei could host no more than 80 guests, but in
the new Kaniei this number has been increased to 120. A glass wall offers
a view of the beautiful bamboo and natural-quarried stones of the Inner Court,
creating an atmosphere of spaciousness.
The upper part of the western wall is retractable, and when it is opened a space
for an orchestra is revealed. Thus the guests can enjoy banquets held in an elegant
style. |
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