See Japan's castles the easy way

The five National treasures of Matsumoto Castle

Article posted on Thursday, January, 27th, 2011 at 8:39 pm


When it comes to Japanese castles & National Treasures, the list is rather short at just five. The four castles of Matsumoto, Himeji, Inuyama & Hikone get the honour due to their beautifully preserved main towers (天守 – Tenshu). The final castle on the list is that of Nijō, which has actually been without its main tower since 1750. It’s the magnificence of the Ni-no-maru Palace that has earned it not only national-treasure status but also UNESCO World Heritage listing.

For now at least, let’s just take a look at Matsumoto Castle, I think you’ll find there is something a little odd about this national treasure business. What most of us would believe is one building is actually five national treasures all rolled into one. Wow!

From left to right.
Tsukimi Turret Matsumoto’s shortest turret was actually a later addition, being built in 1634. Above a basement level stands a single & wide-windowed room. (pic)
 
Tatsumi Tsuki Turret Also built in 1634, this is a true, two story turret and serves to connect the Tsukimi Moon-viewing turret to the main tenshu. (pic)
 
Tenshu The tall, five-layered tower actually contains six floors. It is of the Sōtōgata style, which is best imagined as pyramids on boxes. (pic)
 
Watari Turret Known as the Roofed Passage, the two-story Watari Turret connects greater & lesser towers. (pic)
 
Inui lesser Tower This triple-layered turret actually conceals a fourth level. In contrast to the squared & planed pillars of the main tower, the Inui tower’s pillars are roughly cut with many being rounded. (pic)
 
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Matsue Castle no longer to be an ICP?

Article posted on Thursday, July, 15th, 2010 at 1:29 pm


Breaking news
It appears the days of Matsue castle‘s main tower being listed as an Important Cultural Property are numbered. They are going to tear it down.

Of course they’re not. (Did my lame ruse hook you for even a moment?) A committee has been established to determine if this particular I.C.P should be upgraded to National Treasure status. And, I don’t mean that it will appear in an upcoming Nicolas Cage movie. If so, they probably should tear it down.

According to an on-line newspaper article, a committee made up of 12 experts, will survey the castle structures and examine historical documents to assess the historical value. On the 13th of July, the committee did in fact visit the site and… “examined the stone foundations & climbed the main tower”. Wow. The ball is indeed rolling.

No doubt a conclusion will be reached in the coming years.

Other Japanese-castle-related national treasures
Hikone Castle – Main tower and two attached turrets.
Himeji Castle – Main tower, three sub towers and four attached turrets.
Matsumoto Castle – Main tower, one sub tower and three attached turrets.
Inuyama Castle – Main tower.
Nijō Castle – The six components of the Ninomaru Palace.

P.S.
I was alerted to this news by an Daily Yomiuri newspaper article, but those articles don’t last too long on the internet. So, no link. Couldn’t link anyway. To link to an on-line, Japanese newspaper article, permission to do so must first be sought and given.

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