Himeji Castle | ハコスコーメタバース・XR・ブレインテックの実験カンパニー

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Himeji Castle was originally built as a fort in 1333 on Himeyama Hill by a samurai named Akamatsu Norimura (1277-1350). During turbulent times, his successors Hashiba Hideyoshi (1537-1598, later called Toyotomi Hideyoshi) and Ikeda Terumasa (1565-1613) succeeded in their dreams of expanding it into a castle. By 1618, it looked almost as it does today. Chalk-white Himeji Castle is also known as Shirasagi (White Egret) Castle because of its resemblance to a white egret taking flight from the water. Himeji Castle’s level of beauty is unparalleled in the world and it exhibits the highest levels Japan’s expertise in wooden architecture. The keep towers, turrets, gates, earthen embankments, stone walls, and moats—which date back to the beginning of the 17th century when castle construction was at its peak—are well-preserved. The ingenious defensive measures implemented here make it the best example of Japan’s unique castle structure. In 1993, this acclaimed landmark was registered as Japan’s first World Heritage Site.

Cultural Property Guide

Main Keep, Himeji Castle

The striking Main Keep stands in the southwest corner. From the outside, the castle appears to have five floors, but there are actually six above-ground floors and one basement floor on the inside. A pair of giant fish-shaped tiles adorn the tops of both sides of the main building, while curved karahafu gables and pointed chidorihafu and ochidorihafu gables provide the structure aesthetic balance.

West Small Keep, Himeji Castle

The West Small Keep stands three stories high with two further levels below ground. It connects to the Main Keep through the Ni Watari-yagura roofed passage on the east and the Ha Watari-yagura roofed passage on the north. The Mizurokumon entrance is on the east side of the basement. There is a noki karahafu gable on the south side. The open windows on the third story are bell-shaped katomado windows with black lacquered frames and metal fittings.

East Small Keep, Himeji Castle

The East Small Keep lies to the north of the Main Keep and has three above-ground and one below-ground floors. It connects to the Main Keep via the I Watari-yagura roofed passage on the south and the Ro Watari-yagura passage on the west. Like the West Small Keep and the Northwest Small Keep, it has a watchtower atop a two-floored turret that allows expansive views far and wide. Unlike its counterparts, the façade of this keep is integrated with the neighboring passages and lacks karahafu gables and katomado windows.

Northwest Small Keep, Himeji Castle

The Northwest Small Keep stands to the northwest of the Main Keep and has four floors and a basement. It connects to the Main Keep by way of the Ro Watari-yagura roofed passage on the east and the Ha Watari-yagura roofed passage on the south. There is a noki karahafu gable on the west side on the first story and two bell-shaped katomado windows with black lacquered frames and metal fittings on both the south and west sides. The west side is the most elaborately designed face of the keep.

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Other Features

Hishi (Water Chestnut) Gate

This elegant gatehouse serves as the castle’s main entrance and was used by high-ranking officials and guests. Unusually, one side of the structure sits atop a stone wall. The gate takes its name from the carvings of water chestnuts over the entrance.
Tile Marked with a Cross

One of the tiles on the gable of this gatehouse is decorated with a cross. Some believe it to be connected to Kuroda Kanbei (1546–1604), a Christian warlord who had a fortress at Himeji before the current castle was built.
Sama (Loopholes)

There are 997 sama, or “loopholes,” built into the walls of Himeji Castle. The tall rectangular slits were for archers, while the more compact openings—the squares, circles, and triangles—were for gunners. The holes are placed at three different heights for firing while standing, kneeling, or lying down. Those used to fire guns while kneeling are the most common sama at Himeji Castle.
Folding Fan Wall

The gracefully steepening curve of the wall looks like the curve of a folding fan, hence its Japanese name, ogi no kobai or “folding fan slope.” The unique shape of the wall makes it difficult for enemies to climb.
Abura (Oil) Wall

Supposedly built during the reign of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, this is the only remaining earthen wall at Himeji Castle.
Bizen Gate

The roof of this yagura-mon gate connects with the Oremagari Turret and is an important entrance to the Bizen Bailey. Stone was in high demand when Himeji was being built and many existing stone items were repurposed for use in construction. A repurposed stone coffin is visible in the wall adjacent to the Bizen Gate.
Cosmetic Tower

The name comes from the fact that Princess Sen (1597-1666) used this turret for rest and to freshen up. The room was lavishly decorated with brilliant colors.
West Bailey Turrets and Long Connecting Corridor (Hyakken Roka)

This group of turrets runs along the perimeter of the West Bailey built atop Sagiyama Hill. The structure takes full advantage of the natural topography of Himeyama Forest. The cliffs and loopholes to the rear of the castle reveal just how heavily fortified Himeji Castle is.

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