Page 212 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide: Japan

210  JAP AN REGION B Y REGION

q Himeji Castle
Himeji Castle
Built on a high bluff, Himeji-jo, the grandest of Japan’s
12 remaining feudal castles, dominates the city of Himeji.
The building is better known among the Japanese as
Shirasagi-jo, the “white egret castle,” because of the
supposed resemblance of its plastered walls, stretched
either side of the main donjon, to the image of a bird
taking flight. For many people its military architecture, View from lower floor of the donjon to the
ameliorated by graceful aesthetic lines, qualifies modern city of Himeji
Himeji-jo as the ultimate samurai castle. Its cinematic
potential was exploited by Akira Kurosawa in his
1985 film Ran. The castle is now designated
a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Vanity Tower
The abode of Princess
Sen (1597–1667) and
other women was
locked each night
under guard.

Gates and Passageways
Though never put to the
test, the castle’s labyrinth
of passageways and
gateways in the outer
zones were designed
to confuse enemies. Entrance

1333 Norimura 1600 Battle of Sekigahara (see 1609 Five-story 1749 Sakai
Akamatsu builds a pp58–9), after which Ikeda donjon completed Tadasumi and
fort in a strategic Terumasa, son-in-law of descendants live
location on top of Tokugawa Ieyasu, is rewarded 1618 Buildings in in castle until Meiji
a hillock at Himeji with Himeji Castle west bailey added Restoration of 1867
by Tadamasa Honda
1400 1500 1600 1700
1581 Toyotomi
Hideyoshi adds
1467 Two baileys a three-story 1601 Ikeda Terumasa 17th-century
added by Akamatsu donjon to the fort begins digging three crest tile from
Masanori moats around castle gable of castle

For hotels and restaurants see pp304–5 and pp331–3

210-211_EW_Japan.indd 210 08/08/16 3:07 pm
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Starsight template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.7)
Date 24th April 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm