Matsumoto Castle

Formally called Fukashi-jo, Matsumoto Castle, located in Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture, was built as a branch castle of the Ogasawara clan, who acted as the Shugo (governor) of Shinano Province during the Sengoku period. Its Tenshu (castle keep) is the oldest six story-tall Tenshu in existence, and is designated as one of Japan's national important cultural properties. It was later rebuilt by Shingen Takeda during his campaign to dominate the province. In 1590, the castle was given to Hideyoshi Toyotomi’s retainer Kazumasa Ishikawa and his son Yasunaga, who added the Tenshu and stone walls. After Naomasa Matsudaira, a grandson of Ieyasu Tokugawa, moved into the castle in 1633, he repaired the keeps and gates. As a result, Matsumoto Castle became a castle with five buildings, including Dai-tenshu (the main keep), which we see today.

 This nationally-designated Tenshu looks completely different from each viewing angle. The exterior of the west side is simple and monotone and covered with militaristic features, featuring only one Chidori-hafu (a triangular shaped decorative gable) at the fourth story. The main keep and Inui Ko-tenshu (smaller subsidiary castle tower) are connected with Watari-yagura (roofed passages), and the buildings are equipped with machicolations for dropping rocks onto enemies,and many Sama (loopholes in the wall for discharging archery and guns).

During peace-time in the Edo era, Tatsumi-tsukeyagura (attached tower) and Tsukimi-yagura (moon-viewing tower) were attached to the south side of the complex. In contrast to militaristic side of the Tenshu, these buildings have a more expressive style and offer different scenery, depending on the viewing angle.