…but not just any ol’ photo:
The hunt continues for old photographs or postcards that can unlock all-important details of Marugame castle’s demolished turrets. “Discovery” of any materials that reveal the exact overall dimentions of the castle’s other buildings are essential before permission can be granted for their reconstruction.

The hunt has actually been underway since early 2004. In that time just 8 photographs have been submitted with none of these photos providing the crucial information. The city of Marugame does have some cause to hold on to hope though. In 1872, photos were taken of Matsuyama castle, also in Shikoku, and it is their belief photos of Marugame must also exist.

Let’s hope something turns up. Seeing Marugame’s Tenshu flanked by 11 linked turrets would be quite a site to see.

The original Japanese story can be found here: http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/e-japan/kagawa/news/20100122-OYT8T01346.htm

Marugame Castle in the Edo period:
The castle was first built by the well-off Ikoma clan in 1602. Over the next few decades, different clans were transferred here & they each made their own improvements to the castle. The current main tower was built by the Kyōgoku clan and dates from 1660.

In 1869, the Inui turret burnt to the ground and then it was in 1877 when all buildings in the Honmaru (main enclosure) excluding the tiny three-layer, three-story main tower were torn down.