HIMEJI CASTLE

Himeji-jo is the finest surviving example of early 17th-century Japanese castle

architecture. It is located in Himeji City, in the Hyogo Prefecture. The castle property,
situated on a hill summit in the central part of the Harima Plain, covers 107 hectares
and comprises eighty-two buildings. It is centred on the Tenshu-gun, a complex made up
of the donjon, keeps and connecting structures that are part of a highly developed
system of defence and ingenious protection devices dating from the beginning of the
Shogun period. The castle functioned continuously as the centre of a feudal domain for
almost three centuries, until 1868 when the Shogun fell and a new national government
was created.
The principal complexof these structures is a masterpiece of construction in wood,
combining function with aesthetic appeal, both in its elegant appearance unified by the
white plastered earthen walls that has earned it the name Shirasagi-jo (White Heron
Castle) and in the subtlety of the relationships between the building masses and the
multiple roof layers visible from almost any point in the city.
Himeji castle also called white heron castle due to its white outer walls, is the best
preserve d castle in japan. it serves as a classic example of japanese castle architecture
having been designated a natinal treasure in 1931. In corporporating both strategic
design as well as a very consious awarenes of space, it function as a military command, a
center of political life, and as a monument to the glories of an earlier age.
Design
Himeji Castle is a hill castle located on the Harima plain. Actually the main complex,
which consists of one main donjon and three secondary ones, is located on two hills. The
main tower, almost 150 feet tall, is located on one hill and the western tower is located
on the other. The size of the entire complex is 140 meters on the east-west axis and 125
meters on the north-south axis. The main tower is connected by corridors and passages
(wateriyagura) to the other three towers, forming an inner court. At the base of the main
tower once stood a palace, which was later destroyed by fire. In the southeast corner of
the court is an area called harakiri-maru, which was where a samurai would commit
suicide. The main donjon consists of seven floors, five of which are visible. The tower is
strengthened by two wood columns that run from the fifteen meter stone foundation to
the roof. The eastern and western towers consists of four floors, three of which are
visible. The northwestern tower has five floors, only three of which are visible from
outside.
In addition to the main complex there are several other buildings at Himeji Castle,
which are serve as residences and storehouses. These buildings are enclosed by the the
middle and outer moat, as well as stone walls. These buildings are also connected to one
another by corridors and passages. The design of Himeji Castle is that of a spiral with

the main complex located in the center, which the remaining buildings surround and
protect.

Its mixture architectural design of a complicated spiral labyrinth pattern in its inner walls that
confused many attackers during times of war before. The castle has a network of 83 buildings
such as storehouses, gates, corridors, and turrets Of these 83 buildings, 74 are designated as
Important Cultural Assets: 11 corridors, 16 turrets, 15 gates, and 32 earthen walls. the main
materials used to built the structures of Himeji Castle are stones and woods which is quite very
specific because a castle built of too much wood its gives a nice traditional feelling.

Characteristics of Himeji Castle

It is said that no other castle is better than Himeji Castle for the following reasons:
(1) The good or bad of a castle depends on the design including the defensive layout
(Nawabari),the construction, and the set up. Himeji Castle,which was built on Mt. Hime,
is
a hill or flat mountain castle (hirayamajiro). The defensive layout of Himeji Castle is
called
a Spiral Layout (Rasenshiki Nawabari ). The layout offers resistance as it is complicated
and
well designed.
(2) The main building complex is made up of the main building (Daitenshu) and three
small towers around it. This is called the Coalition Grouping Style.
(3) The Dormer Gable (Chidorihafu) and Chinese Gable(Karahafu) are skillfully combined.
The walls of the entire buildings including eaves are completely covered with white
plaster.
This is called "Sonurikome" in Japanese.
(4) The overall construction is regular and balanced, and the appearance is very beautiful.

(5) The original figure of Himeji Castle remains, mainly over 82 buildings including
corridors,
Storehouses(Yagura),gates(Mon) and main buildings (Tenshu).
This gives you a clear idea of a castle of Japan.
Belum selesai
The gates of himeji castle

Hishi gate (diamond gate), called the hishi gate because of big diamond shapes
can be seen on the tops of both pillars, himeji castle is the biggest gates in himeji
castle. There are two windows above the gate are called katomado (latern
window)
Sangoku moat (three country moat)
Mizu no mon (water gate)