Himeji Castle ４ Defenses 姫路城の南表

Approaching storm
Relishing fleeting moments
Light breeze keeps time

嵐がやって来る
短い瞬間が喜んで
弱い風は時計だ

After the moat and great walls these interior gates would be awaiting an approaching army. In the first approach one immediately notices the gun / bow ports. One tactic used by the designers of Japanese Castles was to divert / confuse the approaching army. Often there are many 90 degree turns and dead ends to follow along the path. These were meant for two purposes, to slow the momentum (ie; initiative) of the enemy as well as confuse them. If the soldiers aren't sure which direction their target is they are less likely to be attacking as a cohesive unit.

In the second photo you may notice that there are also gun ports. These gun ports are elevated, maybe out of view from someone wearing a helmet, and would be pointing at your back as you entered the gate and marched towards the castle.

You should also notice the sheer width of the walls, quite sufficient to deter the weapons of the day...

You may note that this gate was featured in the Paramount production of James Clavell's "Shogun". You can read a review of the movie here. I highly recommend the film. It follows the book very closely... But like any movie, the book is much better. Of course the movie has Toshiro Mifune in it so it must be good. In the movie Himeji Castle is used to depict Osaka Castle. There are several scenes filmed on location. The extras and 'making' of disk are also very good.

The third photo is yet another switch back (with more to come). This time there is a towering wall above, from which items can be dropped on attackers. Also, note the additional gun ports. Another obvious defensive design is the constant upward climb that the attackers would have to traverse.

(By the way... it wasn't easy getting these photographs without any people in them!)



All photo's, original works, and comments are my personal property. Please be respectful of the effort I've taken.

Your comments are welcome, be polite:
No throwing pebbles in my pool of zen.

Karesansui - 9 Kodaiji 高台寺の枯山水

Island in the heart
Pounding like a waterfall
Looking into your eyes

心中の島
滝の砕くみたいだ
目に深く見る


The name of this garden is Hashin-tei, 'Wave Spirit Garden' in Kodaiji. This link information on Kodaiji states that the garden was originally designed as an actual pond, but was later modified. A renowned Gardner Kobori Enshu 小堀遠州 (1579 - 1647), is credited with modifications done at Kodaiji. The attached link to Gardens in Japan, credits Enshu with gardens in Daitokuji, and the old Kyoto Imperial Palace. The Gardens in Japan site has great photographs, along with a weeks worth of reading. I highly recommend it as it covers more material and more in depth than I would attempt to tackle.

By clicking on the Karesansui link below you can see all the posts on Japanese stone gardens on one page.


All photo's, original works, and comments are my personal property. Please be respectful of the effort I've taken.

Your comments are welcome, be polite:
No throwing pebbles in my pool of zen.

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!

All photo's, original works, and comments are my personal property. Please be respectful of the effort I've taken.

Your comments are welcome, be polite:
No throwing pebbles in my pool of zen.

Himeji Castle 2 Ohtemon 姫路城の大手門

Crossing the Threshold
Eyes adjust to the new light
The trees are ablaze!

敷居が横切る交わる
新しい空に目を合わせる
木が燃えている

これは大手門です。　　大手門は姫路城の主な入口です。　　その日のお天気は悪いですけど雨以外でめッちゃ楽しい。　　時でも姫路城はずっと面白い。　　門にが歩いて通る時あなたのめは開ける。　　門の向こうところは良いです、　きれいくて広い場所だぞ。　　

早三月に子の写真を取ってん。　　雨が降って花を咲かな勝った。　でも、次日はきれいだね。。。　　待ってください。　　別の写真は良いです。　　僕は約束をしている！

This is Ootemon. It is the main gate of Himeji Castle, (As well as the outer wall and moat). From my best guess it is on the South side of the Castle. It opens onto Ootemae-dori. Even though the weather was bad on this day, we still had a great time. Himeji Castle has a lot to offer and I think a person would be hard pressed to have a bad day there. Even if it were crowded the grounds are so large I think you could still have a great experience.

This picture was taken in Early March. It was raining and the blossoms hadn't bloomed. But the next day was awesome, so we returned to the castle for some better photographs. If you'll hang in for the next few posts you won't be disappointed... Promise!



All photo's, original works, and comments are my personal property. Please be respectful of the effort I've taken.

Your comments are welcome, be polite:
No throwing pebbles in my pool of zen.

Himeji Castle 1 姫路城

Springing into flight
Crouched and frozen in time
White Heron rising

一斉に
時で立ち尽くして
上がる白鷺

姫路駅からこの写真を取った。　　向こう、姫路城は上がっている。　　姫路城の別名前は白鷺城です。　　まず１３４６年にあかまつのりむらは姫路城を終わりました。　　１５８０年ぐらい、とくがわいえやす様は壊れる城を直す。　　

この道は姫路市の一番忙しくて大きな道です。　大手前撮りという。　

むさしみやもとさんは姫路市を助けて計画しました。　　むさしさんの別のポスットのためにここに押して下さい。　　むさしさんの出身から車で四十五分ぐらいがかかる。　　

This photo is taken from Himeji Station. Himeji Castle is rising in the distance. Another name for the castle is White Heron Castle. It is known by this name because of the bright white paint and the sweeping roof lines of a flock of heron.

The castle was first completed in 1346 by Akamatsu Norimura. It exchanged clans until it was finally wrest from Toyotomi Hideyoshi by Tokugawa Ieyasu. Ieyasu used the castle as a control point to maintain security against the Osaka clans he had just subjugated. Ieyasu repaired the battle worn Castle to the form it stands today.

Unlike Osaka Castle, and Himeji City, Himeji Castle is in it's original form and suffered little or no damage from American bombers.

The street is Ohtemae-dori. It runs from the Castle to the station. It is the busiest street in the city. If you have the opportunity to walk from the Station to the Castle take it. As you walk along Ohtemae-dori you cross the ruins of the old city walls. It gives you a feel for how large the city was compared to how it is today. Inside the Castle there is a miniature replica of Edo period Himeji City.

Miyamoto Musashi, rather a renaissance man, may have helped design the layout of Himeji City. By car, Miyamoto's hometown Ohara is about 45 minutes away. You can see some other posts on Mushashi by following this link.

The street is Ohtemae-dori. It runs from the Castle to the station. It is the busiest street in the city. I have been to Himeji Castle three times. Each time was a fantastic experience.



All photo's, original works, and comments are my personal property. Please be respectful of the effort I've taken.

Your comments are welcome, be polite:
No throwing pebbles in my pool of zen.

Kamogawa Cherry Blossoms 賀茂川の桜

一つ苦しみ
枝から落ちっている
一つ喜び

One pain
Falling from a branch
One Pleasure

今日、僕の桜の花を喜びました。　　大きな木は僕の家あたりが囲むやから、僕の庭はちょっと寒い。　　それからぼっくの桜は遅く咲いてん。　　今日、花やお茶を喜ぶ後で死ぬ枝を着ます。　　今年の冬はずっと寒かった。　　冬間、沢山木が死にました。　　この桜木の生活がつずいている。　　嬉しい！

二千六年賀茂川の岸は美しいと思います。　花見の思い出すことは良かった！　　僕の桜木は若いそれから花が少なく咲た。　　でも、僕は待ている。　　明日スポカン市の西宮公園というへ行くつもりです。　　たぶん、沢山花を見るだろう。　　見たい！

日本の歴史で沢山俳句各人は落ちる花を書きました。　　その俳句は一番好きです。　　もうすぐ大きなポストを準備をするつもりです。　　たぶん、　姫路城やえんぎょう時や四天王寺でもを書くかもしれません。　　この易しいポストのためにすみませんでした！　

Today I was able to enjoy my own Cherry Trees along with a cup of green tea. Afterwards I trimmed the dead branches from them hoping they will spring to life with new growth. This last winter was brutal, killing several of my trees including a favorite Japanese Maple. My Cherry Trees however survived with some moderate damage. My trees are young and produce very few blossoms. I'm hoping in the coming years they have some significant growth.

This picture was taken along the Northern banks of the Kamogawa in Kyoto. (To say Kamogawa River is like saying... Kamo river river.) This was during my 2006 trip which put us right in the midst of Cherry Blossom Festival. Beautiful! Because my yard is heavily treed I am always well behind the local curve for flowers. One of my trees is yet too bloom. It didn't last year so I am hoping for it's virgin blossoms soon.

Throughout Japanese History many haiku writers lamented on the fall of a cherry blossom. Poems reflected the juxtaposition between the fleeting beauty of life and the sad and inevitable end. Naturally, the Cherry blossom and the poems about them reflect the futility and beauty of our lives. Please enjoy my feeble attempt.

Soon I plan on beginning some large posts on Himeji Castle, Engoji, Shitenoji, and others. Please forgive this simple post as I gear up and save energy for the big ones!





All photo's, original works, and comments are my personal property. Please be respectful of the effort I've taken.

Your comments are welcome, be polite:
No throwing pebbles in my pool of zen.

Karesansui - 8 Shitennoji 四天王寺

In the blindness
Of a passing ocean's spray
Call out to the surf

So, this is Shitennoji temple. At the moment I don't have much information on Shitennoji. I know that it was originally built 1400 years ago and is the oldest temple in Osaka. It is located in the Southern portion of the city. I also know, that it is easiest to get there by using the Midosuji subway line than the City Loop Line... Why is it easier you ask.... Well, because if you happen to get on the wrong train instead of the City Loop Line... you end up heading off into the distant reaches of Eastern Osaka...

Actually it was a pretty easy fix, hop off one train, cross the tracks and get back on going the opposite direction. It was the only time during my last trip I got on the wrong train... But it set me back about 20 minutes. And when you are on a time schedule every second counts. It did set me up for a chance encounter with an Osaka Native who gave me an impromptu tour of Tennoji.

Tennoji is the neighborhood surrounding Shitennoji. We'll tackle Tennoji and more about Shitennoji on another day.

This Karesansui is in the Northern portion of the Temple grounds. I was very happy get the contrast of the shadow and sunlight to show up in the photo. Without the shadows the pattern in the rocks was almost imperceptible. Japanese Style is often a contrast between light and dark as well as empty and used space. An example of this is the tatami room often found in Japanese homes, (more on this in future posts as well).

-This was supposed to be in Japanese.... but I'm just too darn tired!

All photo's, original works, and comments are my personal property. Please be respectful of the effort I've taken.

Your comments are welcome, be polite:
No throwing pebbles in my pool of zen.

Karesansui - 7 Kodaiji 高台寺の枯山水

ひとつ日の出
彼らの間に波が
別の日没

One sunrise
Between them waves
Another's sunset

特別の日本人の友達ためにこのポストを書いている。　　僕の日本語は悪いやから本間にすみません。　　貴方の親切ために僕がめッちゃ感謝している。　本当に本当にありがとうございます。　　ぼくの会う友達のためにぼくがかんしゃしている。　僕の泊まってくれる友達ために僕はめっちゃかんしゃしている。　　僕の家に訪問してくださいな！　　早く遊び来下さいな！　貴方と僕と一緒に時間がゆっくりくすごしたときその時間はとくべつのじかんです。　　ありがとう。　　ありがとう。

この写真は 高台寺です。　　ここに僕の特別の友達はぼくが持って来た。　　本間に嬉しかった！！！　　このかれさんすいを見たまま子の前の旅行の写真を見た。　　僕は病気になったのにその時は良かったと思う。　　その夜の写真はいいと思います。　　たぶん、このサイットために沢山写真をつかうつもりです。　　僕の旅行を終わりたくなかった！

僕の日が上がると貴方の日が下がるのにきっと私達は近いやねん。　僕と貴方の間に時間だけがあるねん。　皆さんは僕の心の中で。　　

僕の別の 高台寺ポスットを見て下さい。　　一番目の高台寺ポスット　と　二番目の高台寺ポスット　を見て下さい。

あのな。。。かんさいべんをおしえてくれてありがとう！！！！　　本間かいな！！！

-For my English readers.。。。 I'll post in English again soon. But for now, it's only fair. I've been posting a lot in English lately. So sit back and enjoy the pictures.

All photo's, original works, and comments are my personal property. Please be respectful of the effort I've taken.

Your comments are welcome, be polite:
No throwing pebbles in my pool of zen.