A Appear at Some of the Medieval Castles of Japan When we think of Medieval castles we seldom think about Japan.

But Japan went via a extremely lengthy period of feudal warfare and as a result hundreds of fortress like castles were built. They appear substantially different than their European counterparts but functionally they're a lot they exact same. They had been meant to safeguard the people inside from all sorts of dangers. This article critiques some of the medieval castles in Japan and talks about their tricks and techniques for fortification. There are some interesting aspects that you will notice amongst a lot of the castles in Japan. Most of them have a shrine at the very leading of the hold. And all of them use stealth as an additional tool in their arsenal of protection. A great example of this is the trick of making the castle appear like it has 5 floors while in reality it has six floors. This missing floor was a ideal place to hide materials and troops from the enemy. As in any culture that has a long history you are able to go to many with the websites that pepper the whole of Japan and you are able to see castles in various stages ranging from pristine and still within the condition they were built, to rebuilt, to just remnants and walls. There are 3 major castles in Japan which are considered to be the very best examples of castle building throughout the centuries. They are Himeji Castle, Matsumoto Castle, and Kumamoto Castle. If you're visiting Japan and wish to experience the very best castles you need to go to a minimum of 1 of these three. Himeji Castle This really is the number one castle in Japan and a must see even if you're not a castle enthusiast. It sits perched upon a hill and because of its dramatic appear and white color its frequently referred to as the White Heron Castle. It has a extremely long history and the initial fort was built on the site in 1333. The structure, as it presently stands was completed in 1618. You will find numerous distinctive issues about this castle including a complicated series of gates and mazes which made it extremely difficult for attackers to acquire entrance towards the main fortress. There are also several ghost stories that have grown up around it; probably the most well-known of which is the story with the serving girl named Okiku who was betrayed, tortured, and thrown into the castles well. Himeji is open to the public and individuals are given the freedom to roam the grounds each inside and out as they wish. There are also a restricted number of English speaking tour guides available. This is a wonderful experience of Japan and about an hour by train from Kyoto. Matsumoto Castle This castle is situated a short distance from Tokyo so it is a good place to go to if you're not going to be spending a lot of time within

the nation or if you have budgeted your time extremely tightly. The keep of this castle was completed in 1504 so it has a extremely long history. It also is quite dramatic in appearance simply because its a flatland castle thats perched right alongside the water, as well as juts out into the water. Matsumoto is a superb example of stealth in castle developing because it is 1 with the castles that looks like it has 5 floors but really has a sixth floor that is a secret. Kumamoto Castle This is a castle that has a remarkable history. It was originally built in 1607 and in 1877 it was the site for the last remnants with the Samurai revolt and civil war in Japan. Much with the structure was destroyed by fire throughout the revolt. It spent almost a hundred years in ruins but has recently been rebuilt to its original beauty and opened towards the public. The interior with the castle towers is now a museum and it is filled with many of the splendors of architecture and style of the period it was built in. Kumamoto was also used by the well-known director Akira Kurosawa in his 1985 film Ran. The entire of Japan is peppered with many castles and you dont have to remain on the mainland to see them. In the event you take a trip to the island of Okinawa you are able to go to some fine examples that are a bit different than those on the mainland. Shuri Castle This is a fine example with the development of a structure more than centuries. Shuri was the capital of the island of Okinawa and the castle was the seat of government. So it retains not only its huge fortifications however it also has a particular opulence and beauty that 1 would anticipate with the house of a ruler of a kingdom. It was nearly completely destroyed throughout World War 2 but since has been completely reconstructed and websites in the middle of a complex website called Shuri Castle Park. If you are traveling towards the island of Okinawa this really is the one castle you should go to. Do not overlook the numerous Ruins One with the most fascinating issues concerning the castles of Japan is the plethora of ruins which are still in reasonably good shape. Nakagusuku Ruins This is a globe heritage site on the island of Okinawa thats nicely preserved. Its roughly 400 years old and whilst it is in ruins much with the stone structures are still intact and the layout of the castle is clearly noticed, especially in the concentric walls that defended the hold. It sits on the top of a hill and it has a breathtaking view with the Pacific Ocean. This ruin is nicely worth a go to. And nearby is an authentic Japanese house thats now kept as a museum. Its known as the Nakamura house. In the event you visit Nakagusuku its nicely worth it to also go to the Nakamura house which is only 5 minutes away. It was the house of a number of generations and is a great example of how the Japanese lived centuries ago. You will find literally hundreds of castles in Japan built over the course of several centuries and in numerous states of repair. You are able to visit any component of the country and discover a castle or perhaps a ruin not too far away. These structures are a remarkable testament to the history with the nation. And while they look really

various than their European counterparts they nonetheless did the same job within the same methods. By on manga