21. HIMEJI, A CASTLE IN A BOX

Wednesday December 4th, 2013

Delayed reaction blogging.... Due to technical problems with our blogging app, Blogsy... Not happy Jan.

The truth is, we are back in Australia now and have been for over 2 weeks... but we still have a few blogs it finish off.

First, our new friend Dohi dropped us at the bullet train station and bade us farewell. We really enjoyed our time together.

So... to Himeji Castle...

We umed-and-ared over whether to visit this castle for quite a while. As we mentioned previously, castles are not really our thing. On the one hand,Himeji Castle is the most famous and reputedly most beautiful hilltop castle in Japan. On the other hand... the castle is "in a box". It might even be the original box that it came in, I'm not sure.

So here it is, impressive yes? Well this is a model... in a box... at the train station.

Ahhh, there it is, the real thing, in a box. Perhaps it will look better closer.

Nope... Doesn't look better even though there is a lovely picture of the castle on the outside.

Wikitravel explains: Himeji Castle is currently undergoing renovation until spring 2015. It will stay open throughout, but parts may be off-limits and a large tent-like structure is covering the entire main building of castle. As of Sept 1, 2011, the interior of the main keep was closed to visitors, and the structure itself is covered up. For an additional 200 yen on top of the 300 yen entry fee, you can take an elevator to the top of the main keep to see the work in progress. A series of other parts of the castle complex have been opened up to compensate including some that are generally not open to the public. Although the image of the castle towering over the city is a key reason many people visit Himeji, the covered-up castle is still worth a visit.

If it were not for the renovations, this is what we would see. (This photo borrowed from the above web site) It is impressive. Still, you have to credit the Japanese with taking their renovations very seriously.

Cross-section of castle and box. Pretty impressive structure in it's own right. They sure know how to care for a 14th century castle.

It is also known as "White Egret Castle" or "White Heron Castle" because of its brilliant white exterior and supposed resemblance to a bird taking flight.

 

 

A display showing how those white walls are made. Timber frame with a mesh of branches with rope for reinforcement. Then covered with 4 coats of clay followed by a few coats of white plaster.

We couldn't go inside the castle due to the renovations but this was the view from the top level of the box.

 

 

Guards could select from the triangle, square, or circular window to shoot attackers.

Looking up at a defensive stone wall.

Roof tile detail.

The cast grounds were crawling with school students on excursion all wanting to practice their English...

... and prove that they have fingers.

This is a part of a long exterior wall passage providing defenders with quick and easy access.

From inside.

 

During the 15 minute walk back to the train station we encountered not 1 but 2 groups of JWs from different congregations with literature carts sharing the good news.

What a great world wide organisation.

So, was it worth our while visiting this castle? Yes. Perhaps one day we can see it again after the the renovation is complete and it is out of the box...

Lloydnalex

 

Posted with Blogsy