Perched atop the 45.6-meter-high Mt. Hime, Himeji Castle dominates the landscape of Himeji City in Hyogo Prefecture, offering a commanding view of the Harima Plain. Adorned in white plaster, the main tower group is often likened to a graceful egret in flight, earning the castle its alternative moniker of "White Egret Castle." Among Japan's dwindling original castles, Himeji boasts the most intact structures. Notably, its main tenshu keep and ko-tenshu sub-keeps were bestowed the prestigious title of National Treasures in 1931, while an additional 74 edifices hold the esteemed designation of National Important Cultural Properties. Alongside Horyu-ji Temple, Himeji Castle proudly holds the distinction of being Japan's inaugural World Heritage site, a recognition bestowed upon it in 1993.
The origins of a fortress on this site trace back to the Nanboku-cho period, with significant enhancements during the Sengoku era under the directive of Oda Nobunaga and his vassal, Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Following the pivotal Battle of Sekigahara in 1600, Ikeda Terumasa assumed control of the castle, along with a substantial income of 520,000 koku. Over the subsequent eight years, Terumasa oversaw the transformation of Himeji into the architectural marvel it is today. Encircled by three concentric moats—soto-bori, naka-bori, and uchi-bori—the castle boasted formidable defenses, with remnants visible today within the inner moat.
Tasked by Tokugawa Ieyasu, his trusted son-in-law Terumasa expanded and fortified Himeji Castle in anticipation of future military campaigns, notably the impending confrontation with Toyotomi Hideyoshi's heir, Hideyori, at Osaka Castle. The castle's imposing stature was intended to deter western-based Toyotomi loyalists from reinforcing Osaka, solidifying its role as a strategic bastion.
Construction of the iconic white tower, symbolizing Himeji Castle's grandeur, commenced in 1601 and culminated in its completion in 1609. This towering edifice, standing at 31.5 meters atop a 14.8-meter stone base, represents the largest extant tower keep of the Edo period. Spanning 140 meters east to west and 125 meters north to south, the main keep complex comprises the dai-tenshu (large tower keep) and three smaller ko-tenshu sub-keeps—nishi (western), inui (northwestern), and higashi (eastern). The strategic layout facilitated vigilant observation and defense, with downward-facing hatches facilitating the deployment of matchlock guns against encroaching adversaries.
Internally, the main tower encompasses seven floors, of which only five are visible externally. The uppermost floor reflects the refined shoin-zukuri architectural style favored by the samurai elite, underscoring the structure's ceremonial significance.
Himeji Castle stands as a testament to the masterful fusion of military functionality and aesthetic elegance embodied by the samurai, exemplified in its enduring architectural splendor.
Siehe auch
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Okayama Castle
According to a number of accounts, the earliest fortifications on the site of present-day Okayama Castle appeared as early as the 14th century and were built by the Nawa clan. The Asahigawa River was used as a natural defensive barrier, protecting one side of the fortifications.
In the early 16th century, the Kanamitsu clan constructed a new castle here, which at the time was known as Ishiyama. In 1573, it came under the control of the Ukita clan, after which Ukita Naoie (1529–1582) launched large-scale reconstruction efforts. He did not live to see the work completed, and construction was continued by his son Hideie. -
Nagahama Castle
Hashiba, later known as Toyotomi Hideyoshi, received Odani Castle and the surrounding lands from Oda Nobunaga after the defeat of the Azai clan. However, Odani Castle was located high in the mountains, which made it poorly suited for the effective administration of the territory. For this reason, in 1575 Hideyoshi began constructing a new castle in the village of Imahama on the shore of Lake Biwa. Taking the character naga from Nobunaga’s name, he renamed both the village and the new castle Nagahama.
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Kokura Castle
Kokura Castle is traditionally considered to have been founded by Hosokawa Tadaoki (1563–1645), although by the time the Hosokawa clan came to control these lands, the fortification had already existed since at least 1569 and was most likely built by members of the Mori clan.
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Ikeda Castle
In 1334, Ikeda Noriyoshi built a small fort on this site, which over time was repeatedly expanded and rebuilt. During the Ōnin War of 1467–1477, the Ikeda clan supported the Western Coalition. As a result, Ikeda Castle was attacked and captured by the forces of the Eastern Coalition, but it was soon recaptured, allowing it to avoid serious destruction.
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Aizu-Wakamatsu Castle
Aizu-Wakamatsu is the most powerful and at the same time the oldest castle in the Tōhoku region in the north of Honshu Island. Its history begins in the 14th century and is closely connected with the Ashina clan, whose members claimed descent from the legendary Taira family.
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Maruoka Castle
Maruoka Castle is located in the central part of the former city of Maruoka, which is now part of the city of Sakai. This area lies in the northeastern part of Fukui Prefecture. The castle was built on the bank of the Kuzuryu River, on the side opposite Fukui City, which once served as the administrative center of the former Echizen Province. Thanks to its location, Maruoka held significant strategic importance, as it controlled two major routes at once: the Hokurikudo highway leading from Kaga Province and the Mino Kaido road connecting these lands with Mino Province.
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Marugame Castle
Marugame is part of the so-called “Authentic Dozen,” a group of twelve castles whose donjons have survived to the present day without major reconstructions since the Edo period.
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Iyo Matsuyama Castle
Historically, the center of Iyo Province—corresponding to today’s Ehime Prefecture on the island of Shikoku—was the city of Imabari, while the Matsuyama area was regarded as an agricultural hinterland with broad plains and low hills. During the Muromachi period, the central part of the province was governed by the Kano clan from Yuzuki Castle. With the onset of the Sengoku period, however, this clan lost its former influence and was forced to survive in the shadow of the more powerful Mori and Chōsokabe clans. After Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s forces conquered Shikoku in 1587, the northern part of Iyo Province was granted to Fukushima Masanori, one of the so-called “Seven Spears of Shizugatake.” In 1595, Masanori was transferred to Kiyosu Castle, and the lands around Matsuyama were given to another of the Seven Spears, Katō Yoshiaki, who received Masaki Castle and an income of 60,000 koku of rice.
