Design in Himeji Castle

Himeji Castle, as mentioned before, is also called Shirasagijo for its white outer walls, and is a classic example of medieval Japanese architecture. The castle complex ranks second only to Osaka castle in size, and was also a center of political life and is now a monument to the glory of the past. The complex is enormous compared to the other of the time, and, “the size of the entire complex is 140 meters on the east-west axis and 125 meters on the north-south axis” (“HISTORY.” Colombia.edu). In addition, all three rings of the outer structures of Himeji are surrounded by a middle and outer moat, along with many lines of stone walls (the structures were also connected by various passageways).

Himeji castle was surrounded by countless other buildings with varying purposes (like living quarters and storage houses), and, “[t]he design of Himeji Castle is that of a spiral with the main complex located in the center, which the remaining buildings surround and protect” (“HISTORY.” Colombia.edu). Making up the castle are four donjons, or towers; one main donjon and three secondary ones, which are situated on top of two hills. While the hill that the main donjon sits on is 150 feet, the tower itself shoots nearly another 150 feet up. This main tower is the largest of the four, with seven total levels to it, five of which can be seen from the outside. The western tower is situated on the hill opposite the one of the main donjon, and consists of four floors total (with three visible from the exterior), which is much like the structure of the eastern tower, which also has four floors with three visible. Last of all, the northwestern tower has five floors, with three visible from the outside. Each tower is strengthened by 2 pillars that run from the fifteen meter stone foundation to the roof, and also connected to the others adjacent to it by passageways called wateriyagura, which create an inner court. In this inner court, there was once a regal palace, but tragically it was destroyed by a fire long ago. Finally, in the southeast of the inner court there is an area called a harakiri-maru, where seppuku, or ritual suicide, was committed by anyone who had been deemed a disgrace or was defeated (mostly samurai).