Himeji Castle

A series of pictorial maps of castles and castle towns that the daimyo created and submitted on order of the Tokugawa Shogunate

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'.

Matsumoto Castle, located in Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture, has the oldest Tenshu complex in existence. The Tenshu is designated as one of Japan's national important cultural properties.

Edo Castle was located in what is now the Chiyoda ward of Tokyo. It was first built by Dokan Ohta. After Tenka-bushin (the full-scale urban development of Edo) by Ieyasu Tokugawa, who established the Edo Bakufu (military government), it was renovated and became the largest castle complex in Japanese history.

史蹟姫路城管理事務所

昭和9年に刊行された史蹟姫路城管理事務所による姫路城案内。

野口保興 編,東洋社

地理学者野口保興は「地理写真帖」で、姫路城を「屹然として半空に聳え（そびえ）、之を望むに甚だ壮観なり。」と表現している。

大浦濤花 著,大浦濤花

姫路城の修復記録など、姫路城の歴史が記録されている小冊子。

酒井雅楽頭 写

姫路城の見取り図。

姫路城の見取り図。

姫路城主・酒井家の大金奉行である山本三右衛門が殺害され、三右衛門の弟や子供が仇討ちした経緯を記した書。

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.

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.

BRANSON DECOU/製AUGUSTAA.HEYDEN/彩色

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.

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.

橋本興家 (1899 - 1993),HASHIMOTO, Okiie (1899 - 1993)

兵庫県姫路市の国宝・姫路城。現在の城は、江戸時代に池田輝政によって築かれました。その美しさから白鷺城ともよばれています。世界文化遺産にも登録され、今なお輝きを保ち続けています。<br><br>※２００９年から大天守保存修理工事が行われていましたが、２０１５年３月に完了しました。<br>（この動画は、２００２年に放送したものです。）

日本で初めて世界遺産に登録された名城、姫路城（国宝）。鷺が羽ばたく姿に例えて、白鷺城とも呼ばれています。城を白く見せているのは、白漆喰（しろしっくい）です。平成２３年現在、姫路城は補修作業で白漆喰を塗り直しています。江戸時代から続くと言われる職人技が光ります。<br><br>※大天守保存修理工事は、２０１５年３月に完了しました。詳しくは、姫路市のホームページをご確認下さい。<br><br>（この動画は、２０１１年に放送したものです。）

徳川家康の家臣・池田輝政が、豊臣方をけん制するために築いた強大な城・姫路城。５層６階の大天守は、木造建築としては世界屈指の規模です。巨大な天守を支えるのが東西２本の心柱。そのひとつ、西の心柱に刻まれたある物語を紹介します。<br><br>（この動画は、２０１２年に放送されたものです。）