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松江城 / みちしる

Tenshu (Castle Keep)

A Tenshu, or castle keep, is the symbolic multi-level tower of a Japanese castle complex. Tenshu is sometimes written in different Chinese characters, which can still be read as 'tenshu'.

A Tenshu (castle keep) is the symbolic, multi-level tower of a Japanese castle. They were built in castle complexes throughout Japan during the Azuchi-Momoyama era and the Edo period. Tenshu is sometimes written in different Chinese characters (天主/殿守/殿主which can still be read as tenshu) but it is also often called tenshukaku, a name which became popular after the Meiji era.It is said that the original Tenshu was the one at Azuchi Castle, built by Nobunaga Oda in 1579. Interestingly, it appears to have 5 levels from the outside, but is actually 7 stories tall. After Nobunaga’s death, Hideyoshi Toyotomi, who held the hegemony over Japan, built a huge Tenshu in Osaka Castle. Ieyasu Tokugawa also built a gigantic Tenshu in Edo Castle to show off his power to the world and his opponent, Toyotomi. The Daimyos (feudal lords) of each side followed their lead and built Tenshu in their own residential castles as a symbol of unification. However, in 1615 Tokugawa’s Edo Shogunate enacted Ikkoku Ichijo-rei (the law of one castle per province) ordering some Daimyos to destroy all of their castles except their own residence, and requiring them to ask permission to conduct any repairs. The law was created after Tokugawa defeated Toyotomi clan at the Summer Siege of Osaka, in order to limit the power of the Daimyos and prevent rebellions. From then on, Tenshu ceased to be built.

Many Tenshu were demolished during the Meiji era or burned down by airstrikes during World War II. Now only twelve Tenshu remain, five of which are designated as national treasures – Himeji Castle (also a world heritage site), Inuyama Castle, Hikone Castle, Matsue Castle, and Matsumoto Castle. The other seven Tenshu are designated as important cultural properties – Uwajima Castle, Kochi Castle, Hirosaki Castle, Bicchu Matsuyama Castle, Matsuyama Castle, Maruoka Castle, and Marugame Castle.

Related People, Things and Events

Books

Illustrations of the remaining Tenshu

戦災で失われた旧国宝天守

Related Works

Videos

Past Exhibitions

TitleshusaiPlaceopenclose
大阪城天守閣2010/3/202010/5/5
徳川美術館 蓬左文庫2017/7/152017/9/10
江戸東京博物館2015/8/42015/9/27

Institutions Holding Related Materials

Tenshu designated as national treasures

  • 長野県松本市の城で国宝。5つの棟で構成された天守を持つ。

  • 愛知県犬山市の城で国宝。天守は現存する日本最古の様式。

  • 滋賀県彦根市の城で国宝。代々、井伊家の居城だった。

  • 兵庫県姫路市の城で国宝。世界遺産にも登録されている。

  • 島根県松江市の城で国宝。現存する唯一の正統天守と言われる。

External Links

  • 天守が現存する12城のうち、国宝に指定されているものを紹介。

  • 天守が現存する12城のうち、重要文化財に指定されているものを紹介。

References