Himeji Castle
By: Sophia Katz
History of Himeji Castle:
Himeji castle was originally a fortress built by a man named Akamatsu Norimura. The fortress was eventually torn down by his son, Akamatsu Sadanori. To replace the fortress he rebuilt a castle on the same site as protection from local shoguns in 1346 (Columbia). The castle was originally called Himeyama castle. It’s name eventually changed to Himeji when it was remodeled in 1581, although it is also known as Hakurojō or Shirasagijō, which means white egret or white heron castle (Journeys). It got its name from it’s characteristically white walls, and its design which looks like a bird about to take flight (Journeys).
The castle went through a variety of owners including Kodera Yoshitaka (Turnbull). At the time Oda Nobunaga was the most prominent figure of authority being one of the three unifiers, although he still did not have full control over all of Japan. One of the other three unifiers, Toyotomi Hideyoshi fought on behalf of Oda Nobunaga. The first castle Hideyoshi was ordered to capture was Himeji castle. The occupant of the castle, Kodera, had not yet decided his loyalties with the warring Daimyos at the time, so Hideyoshi was able to convince him to surrender the castle without having to use any force at all, there was no blood shed (171, Turnbull). This is the closest Himeji castle ever came to battle, despite it being built for this purpose.
Later, Ieyasu Tokugawa fought against the Toyotomi daimyo to try to win the Sekigahara battle to establish the tokugawa shogunate. He needed allies to fight this war, one of these allies was Ikeda Terumasa. As a gift for supporting Ieyasu Tokugawa in this battle Ikeda Terumasa was awarded Himeji castle as a gift. Ikeda loved the style of the emperor’s castle, so once he gained control of Himeji he began a remodeling project to make Himeji look more like the emperor’s castle. The remodeling spanned about nine years (Columbia).
The castle was also inhabited by a feudal lord named Kuroda Shigetaka who did even more remodeling in 1581 (History Hub).
Over time the castle was inhabited by many families including “the Honda, Okudaira, Matsudaira, Sakakibara, and Sakai.” (Columbia)
Himeji castle was originally a fortress built by a man named Akamatsu Norimura. The fortress was eventually torn down by his son, Akamatsu Sadanori. To replace the fortress he rebuilt a castle on the same site as protection from local shoguns in 1346 (Columbia). The castle was originally called Himeyama castle. It’s name eventually changed to Himeji when it was remodeled in 1581, although it is also known as Hakurojō or Shirasagijō, which means white egret or white heron castle (Journeys). It got its name from it’s characteristically white walls, and its design which looks like a bird about to take flight (Journeys).
The castle went through a variety of owners including Kodera Yoshitaka (Turnbull). At the time Oda Nobunaga was the most prominent figure of authority being one of the three unifiers, although he still did not have full control over all of Japan. One of the other three unifiers, Toyotomi Hideyoshi fought on behalf of Oda Nobunaga. The first castle Hideyoshi was ordered to capture was Himeji castle. The occupant of the castle, Kodera, had not yet decided his loyalties with the warring Daimyos at the time, so Hideyoshi was able to convince him to surrender the castle without having to use any force at all, there was no blood shed (171, Turnbull). This is the closest Himeji castle ever came to battle, despite it being built for this purpose.
Later, Ieyasu Tokugawa fought against the Toyotomi daimyo to try to win the Sekigahara battle to establish the tokugawa shogunate. He needed allies to fight this war, one of these allies was Ikeda Terumasa. As a gift for supporting Ieyasu Tokugawa in this battle Ikeda Terumasa was awarded Himeji castle as a gift. Ikeda loved the style of the emperor’s castle, so once he gained control of Himeji he began a remodeling project to make Himeji look more like the emperor’s castle. The remodeling spanned about nine years (Columbia).
The castle was also inhabited by a feudal lord named Kuroda Shigetaka who did even more remodeling in 1581 (History Hub).
Over time the castle was inhabited by many families including “the Honda, Okudaira, Matsudaira, Sakakibara, and Sakai.” (Columbia)
Defense Mechanisms Used in Himeji Castle:
Himeji Castle was originally built as a defense structure, its main use being to protect the original owner of the castle, Akamatsu Sadanori, from the local military leaders called shogun.
The location of Himeji castle was specifically chosen to incorporate its natural surroundings into part of the castle's defense. Himeji is built on a hill for a couple of reasons; so people inside the castle can see most, if not all, of the surrounding terrain, and to demonstrate the power of the occupants of the castle to those living around it (Asian). There are also three moats surrounding the castle to act as the first three lines of defense. The moats were incredibly hard to cross, especially if you had a lot of troops and supplies to get across the moat. This helped slow down any attacking armies, and it gave the people inside the castle a lot more time to prepare for an attack (Columbia). To add to the moats there was also a ditch dug around the castle to help further slow down attacks from oncoming armies (History Hub).
Himeji had other defense mechanisms built into the castle to add to the natural defenses. One of the best defenses demonstrated at Himeji is the maze of pathways and gates that attackers had to go through to get to the castle. There were eighty four different gates and twenty one of these lead to confusing and “wandering passages of the castle [that] are intended to confuse an enemy unfamiliar with its layout” (Columbia). As well as being confusing these gates also had very small openings. This ensured that large groups of people, or large armies, could not get through the gates quickly (Columbia). This gave the people inside the castle even more time to prepare for the attack. The dead ends that were built into the passageways also gave the people inside the castle an upper hand as it gave them chances to capture and attack their opponents when they didn’t see it coming. Stephen Turnbull says in his book “Strongholds of the Samurai” that “One of the most important defense elements in the developed style of castle was the need to make the approach to the keep as difficult as possible. The ultimate example is the maze created by the successive of walls, gates and baileys, at himeji” (144, Turnbull).
The walls themselves acted as a great defense mechanism, but the people in Himeji wanted to use them to their advantage as much as they could. Trees and other plants were planted just outside the numerous walls. This was done for a number of reasons; they shielded the Himeji castle warriors from arrows and bullets, provided timber incase of siege, and they added to the decoration of the castle.
The walls themselves were “thick plaster walls not easily penetrated by enemy musket fire or arrows” (Asian). Since the walls were so strong that enemies couldn’t fire through them, it meant that the defenders of the castle also couldn’t fire through them. So to solve that problem the walls were lined with sama and isiotoshi. Sama are holes in the walls of the castle that allow the defenders to shoot rifles and arrows through the wall at the attackers. Ishiotoshi were also holes that lined the walls of the castle, but they served a different purpose. Ishiotoshi were for more primitive forms of warfare. Defenders of the castle would throw rocks and scalding water at oncoming attackers through ishiotoshi (Columbia). This was an easy way to start to defend the castle and possibly drive away the attackers without using too many of the resources in the castle.
A well as the walls surrounding the castle, the walls of the castle were also built for defense. From the base of the castle to fifteen meters up is a huge sloping wall (Columbia). This was made so that attackers could not easily get into the castle, even if they did eventually make it through the maze to the base. They are so tall that if someone is standing at the base of the castle they won't be able to see much of the castle at all other than the wall.
Himeji Castle was originally built as a defense structure, its main use being to protect the original owner of the castle, Akamatsu Sadanori, from the local military leaders called shogun.
The location of Himeji castle was specifically chosen to incorporate its natural surroundings into part of the castle's defense. Himeji is built on a hill for a couple of reasons; so people inside the castle can see most, if not all, of the surrounding terrain, and to demonstrate the power of the occupants of the castle to those living around it (Asian). There are also three moats surrounding the castle to act as the first three lines of defense. The moats were incredibly hard to cross, especially if you had a lot of troops and supplies to get across the moat. This helped slow down any attacking armies, and it gave the people inside the castle a lot more time to prepare for an attack (Columbia). To add to the moats there was also a ditch dug around the castle to help further slow down attacks from oncoming armies (History Hub).
Himeji had other defense mechanisms built into the castle to add to the natural defenses. One of the best defenses demonstrated at Himeji is the maze of pathways and gates that attackers had to go through to get to the castle. There were eighty four different gates and twenty one of these lead to confusing and “wandering passages of the castle [that] are intended to confuse an enemy unfamiliar with its layout” (Columbia). As well as being confusing these gates also had very small openings. This ensured that large groups of people, or large armies, could not get through the gates quickly (Columbia). This gave the people inside the castle even more time to prepare for the attack. The dead ends that were built into the passageways also gave the people inside the castle an upper hand as it gave them chances to capture and attack their opponents when they didn’t see it coming. Stephen Turnbull says in his book “Strongholds of the Samurai” that “One of the most important defense elements in the developed style of castle was the need to make the approach to the keep as difficult as possible. The ultimate example is the maze created by the successive of walls, gates and baileys, at himeji” (144, Turnbull).
The walls themselves acted as a great defense mechanism, but the people in Himeji wanted to use them to their advantage as much as they could. Trees and other plants were planted just outside the numerous walls. This was done for a number of reasons; they shielded the Himeji castle warriors from arrows and bullets, provided timber incase of siege, and they added to the decoration of the castle.
The walls themselves were “thick plaster walls not easily penetrated by enemy musket fire or arrows” (Asian). Since the walls were so strong that enemies couldn’t fire through them, it meant that the defenders of the castle also couldn’t fire through them. So to solve that problem the walls were lined with sama and isiotoshi. Sama are holes in the walls of the castle that allow the defenders to shoot rifles and arrows through the wall at the attackers. Ishiotoshi were also holes that lined the walls of the castle, but they served a different purpose. Ishiotoshi were for more primitive forms of warfare. Defenders of the castle would throw rocks and scalding water at oncoming attackers through ishiotoshi (Columbia). This was an easy way to start to defend the castle and possibly drive away the attackers without using too many of the resources in the castle.
A well as the walls surrounding the castle, the walls of the castle were also built for defense. From the base of the castle to fifteen meters up is a huge sloping wall (Columbia). This was made so that attackers could not easily get into the castle, even if they did eventually make it through the maze to the base. They are so tall that if someone is standing at the base of the castle they won't be able to see much of the castle at all other than the wall.
The Castle Keep and Other Buildings:
The main tower of a castle is called a tenshu kaku or a keep. It is usually the highest point of a castle, and it’s the first thing people notice about a castle. Keeps usually have between 3 and 7 stories, but keeps could also have underground stories, so the amount of stories didn’t necessarily correspond to the height of the tower. The keep in Himeji castle is composed of two types of gables; Chidori hafu which are triangular shaped, and Kara Hafu which look like a flowing line (156, Turnbull). Himeji’s keep stands at 150 feet tall and 6 stories high (Columbia and History Hub). There were many purposes to a keep including:
“1. To provide a vantage point.
2. To act as the final line of defense.
3. To symbolize the Daimyo’s power.
4. To provide secure storage.” (156, Turnbull).
Out of these main uses, the most important role of the keep as part of a castle was probably it acting as a final line of defense. All of the most important items in a castle were kept in the keep, as it was the least likely part of the castle to be taken over. To get to the keep you had to get through every other defense the castle and its occupants had to offer. A portuguese jesuit describes how keeps were used when the castle was under attack, “They keep their treasure here and it is here that they assemble their wives in time of siege. When they can no longer hold out, they kill their women and children to prevent them falling into the hands of the enemy; then after setting fire to the tower with gunpowder and other materials so that not even their bones or anything else may survive, they cut their bellies” (156-157, Turnbull). While this practice may seem gruesome, it was well thought out and logical plan to enact when your castle was under siege. Killing their wives and children prevent them from being captured by the enemy. By the time the attackers got down to the final line of defense the defenders knew that they didn’t stand a chance. So instead of letting themselves, their families, their possessions, and their castle fall into the hands of their enemy they got rid of everything they owned and themselves by killing everybody and setting the castle on fire. In this situation this was a very logical plan to enact, and it was enacted many times, although never at Himeji since Himeji was never actually used in battle.
Despite the fact that it was never used, Himeji still had a keep. Its original keep was destroyed, but a new one was built in place of the original in 1601 by Ikea Terumasu during the nine years of restoration (157, 250, Turnbull). Himeji’s new keep is fairly famous and well known. Edo castle’s keep is small and not very impressive, so when a keep is need for a japanese movie or tv show HImeji’s keep is used (Journeys).
Harima plain is where Himeji castle is located, the land is actually composed of two different hills. The castle also has buildings other than the keep. The castle has a total of two towers, one being the keep located on one hill, and one being a slightly smaller tower located on the other hill. The entire castle complex is arranged in a spiral shape, the main tower being in the middle, and the rest of the buildings surrounding it. In the middle of the castle complex the main tower and some wateriyagira, or corridors and passageways that form an inner court. In the southeast corner of the court there was a specially designated place for samurai to commit seppuku or suicide through belly cutting. The inner court is surrounded by a lot of buildings which are used for different purposes such as storage or residence. All of the buildings are connected by corridors and passageways, and they are all surrounded by more moats and walls to keep out attackers (Columbia).
The main tower of a castle is called a tenshu kaku or a keep. It is usually the highest point of a castle, and it’s the first thing people notice about a castle. Keeps usually have between 3 and 7 stories, but keeps could also have underground stories, so the amount of stories didn’t necessarily correspond to the height of the tower. The keep in Himeji castle is composed of two types of gables; Chidori hafu which are triangular shaped, and Kara Hafu which look like a flowing line (156, Turnbull). Himeji’s keep stands at 150 feet tall and 6 stories high (Columbia and History Hub). There were many purposes to a keep including:
“1. To provide a vantage point.
2. To act as the final line of defense.
3. To symbolize the Daimyo’s power.
4. To provide secure storage.” (156, Turnbull).
Out of these main uses, the most important role of the keep as part of a castle was probably it acting as a final line of defense. All of the most important items in a castle were kept in the keep, as it was the least likely part of the castle to be taken over. To get to the keep you had to get through every other defense the castle and its occupants had to offer. A portuguese jesuit describes how keeps were used when the castle was under attack, “They keep their treasure here and it is here that they assemble their wives in time of siege. When they can no longer hold out, they kill their women and children to prevent them falling into the hands of the enemy; then after setting fire to the tower with gunpowder and other materials so that not even their bones or anything else may survive, they cut their bellies” (156-157, Turnbull). While this practice may seem gruesome, it was well thought out and logical plan to enact when your castle was under siege. Killing their wives and children prevent them from being captured by the enemy. By the time the attackers got down to the final line of defense the defenders knew that they didn’t stand a chance. So instead of letting themselves, their families, their possessions, and their castle fall into the hands of their enemy they got rid of everything they owned and themselves by killing everybody and setting the castle on fire. In this situation this was a very logical plan to enact, and it was enacted many times, although never at Himeji since Himeji was never actually used in battle.
Despite the fact that it was never used, Himeji still had a keep. Its original keep was destroyed, but a new one was built in place of the original in 1601 by Ikea Terumasu during the nine years of restoration (157, 250, Turnbull). Himeji’s new keep is fairly famous and well known. Edo castle’s keep is small and not very impressive, so when a keep is need for a japanese movie or tv show HImeji’s keep is used (Journeys).
Harima plain is where Himeji castle is located, the land is actually composed of two different hills. The castle also has buildings other than the keep. The castle has a total of two towers, one being the keep located on one hill, and one being a slightly smaller tower located on the other hill. The entire castle complex is arranged in a spiral shape, the main tower being in the middle, and the rest of the buildings surrounding it. In the middle of the castle complex the main tower and some wateriyagira, or corridors and passageways that form an inner court. In the southeast corner of the court there was a specially designated place for samurai to commit seppuku or suicide through belly cutting. The inner court is surrounded by a lot of buildings which are used for different purposes such as storage or residence. All of the buildings are connected by corridors and passageways, and they are all surrounded by more moats and walls to keep out attackers (Columbia).
Himeji Castle Significance:
Himeji castle is one of the few surviving Japanese castles in good condition and is even said to be “the best preserved example of medieval castle architecture in all of Japan” (Columbia). One of the reasons for this is that many of the castles in Himeji’s time were burned down in warfare, as discussed in the previous section. Himeji was never actually used in battle, so it remains unscathed. It is also the largest fortress in Japan at 4,200 square meters (History Hub).
Although its purpose was never truly fulfilled Himeji was a very important castle in its time. It served as a residence for many important figures over the years including Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Ikeda Terumasa, a daimyo during the Edo or Tokugawa period. Ikeda was not the only Daimyo to live in Himeji. One of the castles other purposes was to house Daimyos who were visiting Edo on their mandatory trips to the capitol every other year as part of the Alternate Attendance Policy.
Himeji castle is also significant to Japanese culture nowadays. One reason for this is that it gives visitors and historians a wonderful example of how Japanese architecture tried to create harmony between man and nature. Many trees and other plants are worked into the landscape and design of the castle to make everything flow together. The castle was even designed and named after a bird taking flight, specifically a white egret or white heron (Columbia).
The inside of Himeji castle is also significant. The inside of Japanese castles revealed a lot about the lives of the residents. Himeji castle, like most Japanese castles, was lavishly decorated and was very ornately designed. There are many rooms designated for certain activities. This includes a room for samurai to gather for tea ceremonies (Asian Art). There are also spaces in the castle dedicated to entertainment purposes. There were stages so that Noh theatre (a type of dramatic theatre) could be performed for samurai’s enjoyment (Asian Art). Himeji is an amazing example of a medieval Japanese castle, and it is now “the most visited castle in Japan” because of its beauty and cultural significance (165, Turnbull).
Himeji castle is one of the few surviving Japanese castles in good condition and is even said to be “the best preserved example of medieval castle architecture in all of Japan” (Columbia). One of the reasons for this is that many of the castles in Himeji’s time were burned down in warfare, as discussed in the previous section. Himeji was never actually used in battle, so it remains unscathed. It is also the largest fortress in Japan at 4,200 square meters (History Hub).
Although its purpose was never truly fulfilled Himeji was a very important castle in its time. It served as a residence for many important figures over the years including Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Ikeda Terumasa, a daimyo during the Edo or Tokugawa period. Ikeda was not the only Daimyo to live in Himeji. One of the castles other purposes was to house Daimyos who were visiting Edo on their mandatory trips to the capitol every other year as part of the Alternate Attendance Policy.
Himeji castle is also significant to Japanese culture nowadays. One reason for this is that it gives visitors and historians a wonderful example of how Japanese architecture tried to create harmony between man and nature. Many trees and other plants are worked into the landscape and design of the castle to make everything flow together. The castle was even designed and named after a bird taking flight, specifically a white egret or white heron (Columbia).
The inside of Himeji castle is also significant. The inside of Japanese castles revealed a lot about the lives of the residents. Himeji castle, like most Japanese castles, was lavishly decorated and was very ornately designed. There are many rooms designated for certain activities. This includes a room for samurai to gather for tea ceremonies (Asian Art). There are also spaces in the castle dedicated to entertainment purposes. There were stages so that Noh theatre (a type of dramatic theatre) could be performed for samurai’s enjoyment (Asian Art). Himeji is an amazing example of a medieval Japanese castle, and it is now “the most visited castle in Japan” because of its beauty and cultural significance (165, Turnbull).
More important facts about Himeji Castle:
- In 1931 it was designated as a national treasure (Columbia).
- Between the years 1956-1964 there was a lot of restoration work done to refinish the castle (Columbia).
- In 1993 it was put on the list of UNESCO world culture and world heritage sites (Columbia).
- In 1931 it was designated as a national treasure (Columbia).
- Between the years 1956-1964 there was a lot of restoration work done to refinish the castle (Columbia).
- In 1993 it was put on the list of UNESCO world culture and world heritage sites (Columbia).