The five National treasures of Matsumoto Castle

     

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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  • http://twitter.com/franosch Not Verified ✓

    @jcexplorer The FIVE National treasures of Matsumoto Castle.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Lonny-Chick/696706084 Lonny Chick

    Very nicely done~ good job explaining and highlighting the different structures.

  • http://twitter.com/Tornadoes28 Jon L

    Excellent description of the various components of the castle.

  • Anonymous

    Thanks Lonny. Absolutely appreciate the comment.

  • Anonymous

    Thanks Lonny. Absolutely appreciate the comment.

  • Anonymous

    Thanks Lonny. Absolutely appreciate the comment.

  • Anonymous

    Thanks Lonny. Absolutely appreciate the comment.

  • Anonymous

    Thanks Jon. I’m glad you liked it. I think this is the type of thing I need to do to make a boring topic more appealing.

    Thank you again.

  • http://urutoranohihi.blogspot.com/ Lina

    It certainly makes reading up the facts of the different towers easier.

  • Anonymous

    Hi Lina. I was actually just at your blog checking out your post on Musashi Mitake Shrine. Oh, and as for the ages of my kids, 6 & 4. I think the youngest is over Ultraman now, especially after watching star wars + the clone wars series.

  • http://www.budgettrouble.com/ Anna Ikeda

    What? Nothing fell off the back of a truck here? Hmmm… ;-) It’s a lovely castle, I mean national treasure, I mean five national treasures. :-)

  • Anonymous

    No, nothing fell off the truck, but I’m not even kidding when I say, they wanted to auction off it bits & cart it away on trucks. Luckily for humanity it didn’t eventuate.

  • http://urutoranohihi.blogspot.com/ Lina

    What! They are over Ultraman so soon! Sacrilegious! LOL

    I think a visit here should be in order for our next trip. But first, I’m going to learn everything I can about it to appreciate these 5 National Treasures.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_C5RYQJRNCMN5A6MVRBXMBXR7MI YoshiI

    I used to live in Matsumono city for only two months (April and May). I went to Matsumoto castle in early April with my frients for Ohanami. Everybody was drunk, as you can guess, including me, and did not remember at all how the castle looked like.
    I am glad that you explained to us. Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful Sunday.
    Yoshi

  • Anonymous

    Hi Yoshii,

    Haha, if you were drunk, it may have looked exactly as it does in the above pic.

  • http://twitter.com/googlefives googlefive

    Really description was very good and nice Japanese Castle

  • http://odorunara.wordpress.com/ odorunara

    I went here over the long weekend and I loved it! Crow Castle is gorgeous!!

  • Anonymous

    You did? I’m jealous! I wonder if there wasn’t some snow about. I must have been beautiful. Any pix?

  • Anonymous

    You did? I’m jealous! I wonder if there wasn’t some snow about. I must have been beautiful. Any pix?

  • Anonymous

    Thanks. i hope it has shed some light on the subject. :)