Himeji Castle 3 SouthーFace 姫路城の南表

Rising in the blue
The thrashing pounding of wings
Stalling my heartbeat

空に浮き上がる
この叩くてき、打つてきな羽
心臓が止まってん

This is the South face of Himeji-jo from the main promenade after entering Ootemon gate.
It is especially breathtaking as it towers over you and everything else. It is a great defensive position from foot soldiers. And approaching army will have to negotiate several cut backs and several more gates and walls as it makes its way to the main Donjon. The castle was well defended from attackers, more on this later.

The low building on the left is the women:s quarters. There were also rooms for troops to sleep. The entourage of women would not only have great numbers, but also significant political pull through their connections. The women`s quarters are especially pretty on the inside. The wood is a light color and the rooms are all bright and cheery. Unlike many Castles that are dark, dark, and dark. For, example.... the inside of the main Donjon...

One point of note, Himeji-jo does not have a nightingale floor like Nijo Castle in Kyoto. Himeji-jo has a distinct air of being a military outpost on the perimeters of an empire. While the Tokugawa certainly had a death grip on the country, deep in Kansai territory, one must be well prepared for the treachery of enemies. Especially when the fastest route to the castle was courier on horseback.

We`ll look at some of the design features specifically made to repel foot soldiers in the near future.

Enjoy, and drop in any time!

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