When talking about castles, many will probably imagine the European castles where tales of the Middle Ages unfolded or the fantastical palaces depicted in Disney movies. For this reason, many are surprised to learn of the existence of Japanese castles. Looking at the intricate exteriors and their enormous walls, it is easy to draw comparisons between the samurai and daimyo living here and the knights and lords found elsewhere. However, the unique origin of castles in Japan illuminates their role in shaping and recording the history of the modern era.
Mountain Outposts: the First Japanese Castles
While Japan took inspiration from Chinese palaces and Korean castles early on, the most common forms of defensive castles were rugged forts called yamajiro (literally mountain castles) built into mountains that were entirely used for defense. Considering that archery was the main form of combat for centuries, combined with cavalry and infantry bearing blades and spears, it makes sense that military might was primarily defined by one’s altitude.
The Turning Point: Bringing Guns to a Swordfight
Despite innovation in sword-smithing in the Kamakura Period, the principles of warfare were left relatively unchanged until a Portuguese shipwreck in 1543 brought the first matchlock muskets to Japan. Although there were gunpowder-based technologies from China, these were the first mobile, relatively accurate weapons that many recognized as the future of warfare. One of these visionaries was a young Oda Nobunaga, who began his campaign to bring all the Oda Clan territories under his control by quickly assaulting positions with gunmen who required little training compared to swordsmen or archers.
The Prototype: Azuchi Castle
As Oda and his successors progressed towards unifying Japan under their leadership, castle technology continued to change and develop. In fact, after Toyotomi Hideyoshi consolidated control over Japan in 1590, he ordered daimyo from all over Japan to what is now Saga Prefecture to build him a splendid castle that would serve as the launch base for his invasions of Korea. By this time, castles could be found on mountains, hills, plains, and places in between. Each one took inspiration from Azuchi, but added its own unique features to suit the terrain and location.
The Next Generation: Kato Kiyomasa
It would be the meeting of the minds for the construction of Saga’s Nagoya Castle that probably supercharged Kato Kiyomasa’s development to become one of the greatest castle architects of his time. Combined with his experience of castle sieges in Korea, Kiyomasa set about creating the peak of defensive fortresses in Kumamoto Castle upon his return to Kumamoto. However, by the time it was finished in 1607, Japan was already at peace under the Tokugawa Shogunate. Kumamoto Castle would have to wait 270 years to prove its military might, but it would do so by withstanding an assault from modern artillery in spectacular fashion.
From War to Peace
As the warring states period came to an end, castles underwent a transformation. With the assurance of peace, architects added flair, opulence, and color to turn these physical manifestations of power into art. This opulence was specifically designed to project wealth and loyalty to the Tokugawa Shogunate in a time when actual fighting was prohibited. Himeji Castle adopted brilliant white plaster and elegant roofs to become the ‘White Heron.’ Nagoya Castle and Osaka Castle were adorned with golden shachihoko and gold-leaf accents to represent their connection to the shogun.
Castles in Japan are in many ways a record of time; despite the fact that most of them were built in a period of 30-40 years, each one remembers a different map and climate in Japan. Their appearance not only reflects their purpose but even the personality of their lords and region. Though they may not have fended off dragons, the many castles of Japan are nothing less than fantastic.
