国宝 姫路城の正体
姫路城の詳しい資料
これは、姫路城周辺や姫路城の内部の絵図です。姫路城を中心に城下町が広がっていることがわかります。城下町や城を囲むように堀が広がっています。防衛的面でも強固な城だったのではないでしょうか。
- Himeji Castle
One of Japan’s most iconic and beautiful castle complexes, Himeji Castle remains as impressive as it was when it was first built over 400 years ago. Affectionately known as the White Heron Castle because its elegant shape and color are said to resemble such a bird spreading its wings, this hilltop castle overlooking Himeji City in Hyogo Prefecture became a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site in 1993. Although notable for its distinctive white exterior and aesthetic design, this architectural marvel was first and foremost a military structure. The complex as it stands today was constructed over nine years from 1601 by master castle builder Ikeda Terumasa. Himeji Castle’s main tower has six floors above ground (although only five are visible from the outside) and one below, and is connected to three smaller towers by roofed passageways. The ingenious layout ? including a maze of winding paths and gates that slow down, expose, and confuse would-be invaders ? combined with earthen walls featuring small openings through which defenders could fire guns and shoot arrows to create a highly advanced and imposing military fortress. Despite being built with defense in mind, Himeji Castle has never seen battle. The signature white plaster covering the walls and even the joints between the roof tiles also bolstered its ability to withstand fire and snowstorms, so the main tower, passages, gates, walls and other major structures have survived virtually unscathed since the castle was constructed. A five-year restoration project completed in 2015 has ensured Himeji Castle’s splendor will remain for many generations to come. The castle can be viewed year-round but is widely considered to be at its most spectacular in spring when more than 1,000 cherry trees on its grounds come into bloom.
美しく国宝にもなる姫路城は優美さだけでなく、城としての役割も兼ね備えています。そしてその姿は修繕などを経て今も守られています。
日本各地にある城。しかし、国宝になっているのはただ一つ姫路城だけです。姫路城の白鷺のような美しさはもちろんささいの魅力であるものの、他の街との関係や城としての防衛力なども要素として素晴らしいものではなかと、この資料を通じてよくわかります。