The ancient city of Kyōto functioned as Japan’s capital between 794 and 1869. Historically, its main district was known as Heian-kyō, where the Emperor’s residence was located. The city’s official entrance was called Rajōmon or Rashōmon, which means “city-wall gate.” Originally a magnificent structure, the Rajōmon was destroyed by a storm in either 816 or 980, and was never restored. For a while, the upper part of the gate was used to dispose of unclaimed corpses. According to the Shōyūki, some cornerstones were all that had remained of the famed gate by…
