Aug

Himeji Castle - Japan

Himeji-jo

The Castle of Himeji has a very interesting story. At first he began to be built as a fort in the year 1333 by Norimura Akamatsu (former governor of the region). In 1346 the building was changed to be a castle by Sadanori Akamatsu, it is still in possession of the family.

In 1580 the warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi took possession of the Himeji Castle, with this in very bad condition, and started a series of reforms, built a castle and more modern three-storey. In 1598 the military died, leaving the way open for Tokugawa who seized power in Japan in 1600, and took upon himself to Himeji Castle

In 1601 Tokugawa gave the castle as a gift to Ikeda Terumasa who was one of his generals, and son, became the new owner of Himeji Castle. At this point begins the expansion of the castle to five levels external, seven internal floors, plus three smaller towers. The construction took eight years to be completed, it took 50,000 workers to complete the works.

During the 17th century construction techniques have reached their peak. The castle was designed against enemy attacks and natural disasters, supporting violent earthquakes (its structure allows the absorption of vibrations). The walls were covered with a special resin, fireproof.

The castle is nicknamed the "White Crane" because of its brick walls are covered with white, along with other decorative elements and curved edges reminiscent of a heron in flight.

Around the castle there is a network of paths, with many stairs and walled with several gates and towers. It has a maze, very easy to lose. Himeji Castle won the time, keeping its original form for nearly 400 years. Fortunately since the reconstruction of Ikeda any act of war brought any harm to the castle, including escaping World War II.

The Himeji Castle was declared a World Heritage by UNESCO in 1993.

[Show as slideshow]

[View with PicLens]