sento imperial palace was completed in 1630 for emperor go-mizunoo's retirement, along with the corresponding ōmiya palace for the empress dowager nyoin. both palaces were repeatedly destroyed by fire and reconstructed until a blaze in 1854, after which the sento palace was never rebuilt. (ōmiya palace was, however, reconstructed in 1867 and is still used by the emperor whenever he visits kyoto). today only two sento structures, the seika-tei and yushin-tei teahouses, remain. the excellent gardens, laid out in 1630 by renowned artist kobori masakazu (kobori enshu), are now its main attractions.