main building in a Heian palace; shinden (central hall)
Refers to the central hall of a Heian-period aristocratic residence built in the shinden-zukuri style. Often contrasted with the connecting corridors and subsidiary pavilions.
See also: 寝殿造り
main residence of an emperor; imperial bedchamber
Historical term for the emperor's private living quarters within the palace complex. Not used for modern imperial residences.
The emperor returned to his private quarters.
In shinden-zukuri architecture, the shinden was the central building.
shinden-zukuri style; Heian-era palatial architecture
From 寝 (しん, 'sleep') + 殿 (でん, 'palace, hall'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the compound naturally refers to a sleeping hall or main residential building.