| |
 |
| |
When you think of famous castles in Japan, which names come to mind? Himeji-jō is arguably Japan’s most famous castle both domestically (regarded as one of the ‘Top 3 famous castles’ in Japan) and internationally as an UNESCO World Heritage site. However, there are a wealth of castles spread around the country, some original and others reconstructions but all with something to offer the visitor.
Himeji-jo’s status as one of the most famous castles is well-deserved.
As the largest of Japan’s few remaining original castle donjons or tenshukaku, and as both a national treasure in Japan and an UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is a spectacular example of Japanese castle architecture. Himeji-jō, in Hyogo prefecture, began life as a fort in the mid-14th century and the present structure of a 5-storey main tower and surrounding buildings was completed in 1609. The wooden castle buildings were covered with white plaster to reinforce the walls and protect from fire, adding a certain elegance to the appearance of the castle and earning it the nickname Shirasagi-jō or White Heron Castle.
However, Himeji-jō was not just beautiful, it was constructed as a formidable fortress, with sloping walls built into the hillside and a maze-like system of towers and pathways designed to confuse invading enemies, this tactic was so effective even modern visitors can become lost in the castle grounds. These defensive strategies were never tested as the castle was completed just as Japan was entering a long period of peace in its previously turbulent history. Himeji-jō also managed to survive the bombings of the nearby city during World War II and the 1995 Hanshin earthquake unscathed.
As a result, Himeji-jō’s fame has grown as it regularly appears as a symbol of Japan’s culture and history and has been featured in numerous television programs and films including the James Bond film You Only Live Twice (1967), Akira Kurosawa’s Kagemusha (1980) and Ran (1985) and was used as a location for The Last Samurai (2003).
Due to the sheer size of the main tower and the surrounding grounds and outer buildings that have been preserved, visitors to the castle can take the time to climb the wooden stairs of each tower and walk through the various living quarters, perhaps imagining oneself as a samurai or retainer in feudal-era Japan. Himeji-jō attracts over 800,000 visitors per year and from 2009 - 2014 while the main castle tower is undergoing renovations, visitors will be able to observe the repair work firsthand, thereby gaining an insight into how the beauty and history of this magnificent castle is preserved for future generations. |
| |
| Other Original Castles |
Matsumoto Castle, in Nagano prefecture, is in a similar league to Himeji-jō in terms of fame and is recognised as Japan’s oldest remaining original castle. Matsumoto-jō, however, is a striking contrast to Himeji-jō in that the walls of the castle are black, giving it the nickname Karasu-jō (Crow castle). Matsumoto-jō was completed in 1597 and is now a designated national treasure. Visitors can view historical exhibits of weaponry and armour in the lower levels of the castle before climbing a series of steep stairways to the sixth floor. One of the most famous features of Matsumoto-jō is the ‘moon-viewing room’, a 17th century addition to the castle which allowed the samurai class to enjoy the wonders of nature as the nation entered a period of peace and stability.
Matsue Castle, in Shimane prefecture, is on a much smaller scale compared to the likes of Himeji-jō but visitors can enjoy an authentic experience by climbing to the top of the narrow, wooden stairs to view the surrounding landscape and views to Lake Shinji. In the warmer months, from May to November, visitors can take a boat cruise around the castle moat and canals for a different perspective on the castle.
Nijo-jō, in Kyoto, was commissioned by the powerful Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu in the early 1600s to be used as his official residence in Kyoto. The main donjon was destroyed by fire in the 18th century and never rebuilt but some of the surrounding palaces and buildings remain. One of the most famous of these buildings is Ninomaru Palace, location of the famed Uguisu-bari, or ‘Nightingale Floor’, so named because of the squeaking noise emitted when anyone walks across the floor. The floor is an ingenious invention with a series of clamps and hinges built under the floorboards to create the sound likened to a nightingale’s song. Although the floor was originally conceived as an early warning system against potential enemies it is now a charming attraction for modern visitors to the palace. |
| |
| Reconstructed Castles |
Nagoya–jō, in Aichi prefecture, was also built by Tokugawa Ieyasu. After the castle was completed in 1612, it remained a place of residence for members of the Tokugawa lineage until the Meiji restoration in the late 1800s. Unfortunately, the main and secondary donjons and Honmaru Palace were destroyed by fire during the Second World War, although some smaller turrets and gates survived along with some of the art contained in Honmaru Palace.
The castle was rebuilt in 1959 and now incorporates some fascinating exhibits to make up for its reconstructed façade and modern interior. The museum inside the main donjon contains displays of armour, artworks from the Honmaru palace and other artefacts that were salvaged from the fire that destroyed the castle. Other exhibits are interactive, such as a stone pulley for visitors to test their strength as a worker on a feudal-era castle. There is also a reproduction of a typical castle town, every 6 minutes visitors can enjoy a day in the life of the village, complete with models of shops and houses and sounds of village-life as the lights dim from day to night. Visitors can also have photos taken with a full-size replica of a Kinshachi (golden dolphin) that adorns the top of the main castle tower and has become a symbol of Nagoya city.
Reconstruction work is ongoing at Nagoya castle and visitors can also enjoy a 3D virtual tour of the proposed rebuilding of the Honmaru palace in the castle grounds. As an example of innovative ideas for attracting visitors to castles without the cache of the original structures, Nagoya castle is a delight for children and adults alike. |
| |
| Other Reconstructed Castles |
Osaka-jō, in Osaka city, was also built by a famous figure in Japanese history and has a suitably tumultuous history. The castle was built in 1583 by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the most powerful daimyo of the period. However, after his death a few years later, the castle was destroyed by the armies of Tokugawa Ieyasu, Toyotomi’s former retainer. The castle was rebuilt by the Tokugawa rulers and remained under their power until the Meiji restoration in 1868 when the main castle was again destroyed by fire. The most recent reconstruction of the main donjon was completed in 1931 and there are also some buildings and outer turrets dating from the Edo period that survived the devastating fires intact.
The interior of the castle houses a museum of Toyotomi Hideyoshi memorabilia including a reconstruction of his ‘golden tea room’, in which the walls, ceiling and tea ceremony utensils were all covered in gold. Toyotomi also ordered the outside of the main castle tower be adorned with gold-leaf.
The castle is surrounded by a moat with high walls and a beautiful park that is an oasis of greenery in a large metropolis such as Osaka, the perfect place to relax and escape the stress of modern city life.
Kumamoto Castle, in Kyushu, is another famous castle with a prominent place in Japanese history. The castle was completed in 1607 by the local daimyo Kato Kiyomasa and was designed as a formidable fortress with ingenious additions such as slots to drop rocks onto enemies below. These fortifications were tested in 1877 during the Satsuma rebellion when Saigo Takamori and his forces rebelled against the Meiji government by attacking Kumamoto castle. The siege lasted for over a month but the castle walls could not be penetrated and Saigo’s rebel forces were eventually subdued. However, the main donjon and other buildings were destroyed by fire during the battle. The present reconstruction was completed in 1960 and also houses a museum of interesting exhibits detailing the history of the castle. Kumamoto castle’s steep foundation walls and 30 metre-high restored donjon are an impressive sight both by day and at night illuminated by floodlights.
The fact that any of Japan’s castles have remained intact through centuries of war, political upheaval and natural disasters is quite amazing. Therefore, it’s a treat to be able to experience a taste of castle-life in Japan, whether by climbing up the steep, wooden stairs of the main donjon; viewing a display of imposing samurai armour, or even taking a 3D tour of a palace. As a ‘hands-on’ lesson in Japanese history and culture, a visit to any of these castles is sure to leave a lasting impression. |
| |
Further Reading |
| Websites |
|
|
| |
 |
| |
| Privacy
& Copyright © The Japan Foundation, Sydney |
| |
| |
|
