Japan 2006 part 1: Himeji Castle
In 2006 I visited Japan for the first time. It was a trip for my Japanese language class organized by our teacher. We spent a week or so in homestay with another family, and a week or so sightseeing around major cities. In this series I would like to share my memories of experiencing Japan for the first time, along with the pictures I have left from this trip. Keep in mind these pictures were taken on old disposable polaroids, so I'm doing the best I can to get them digitized and touched up a bit.
I begin with Himeji Castle, the largest castle left standing in Japan. Although technically dating back to the 1300s, the final construction wasn't until 1618. It survived extensive bombing in WWII, a 7.3 magnitude earthquake, and has even belonged to Toyotomi Hideyoshi, one of Japan's 3 great unifiers. It's the most visited castle in Japan with nearly 3 million visitors last year.
One of my favorite things about Japan is how seamlessly modernity and history are integrated. As you see below, you come upon Himeji while traveling down a main, modern road, only to walk through an enormous gate straight into 400+ years ago. Pretty neat.
These winding, escalating pathways take you up to the castle. The holes in the walls are made to allow archers to fire through at approaching enemies on the path below. You can see how one side is large open shapes, while from the other side they're just small holes.
Inside the castle you'll find historical artifacts: weapons, armor, documents... It's like a 400 year old, very tall museum.
The fish is called shachi and is a good luck symbol to keep fires away.
I think these pictures from the top capture how modern living and historical preservation live hand in hand in Japan. You're surrounded by peaceful nature, ascending a castle, then you look out the window to find a bustling city just outside the castle walls.
this centuries old castle was fun, now let's walk down the street to the arcade
Thanks for looking!
Himeji Castle is amazing. I've never had the pleasure of traveling to Japan, however, I still know some about Himeji Castle. It is the archetype for samurai cinema castles, one of its lesser distinctions to be sure. I've no idea how many times I've seen Himeji in a movie vs. a set piece based upon it. Either way, I've seen it a LOT. Burned in my mind are images of Ninjas scaling the lower, rough stone wall, Archers at the murder holes, and Samurai running to and fro.
Thank you very much for sharing your photos with accompanying descriptions. It paints a much fuller picture than some of the collections I've viewed - and of course, a set piece, whether the real deal of a facade, can never do Himeji Castle justice. The progression of your photos and focus on the seamless boundary from city to ancient Japan paints a wonderful picture of Himeji as it stands today.
It is nothing less than amazing that humans built and perfected these structures. The detail, the craftsmanship. I'd say it is baloney to say something like "People just don't care anymore" or "Young people don't want to work" because it is not the craftsmanship that has left us, it is the patronage. Build it faster and cheaper to maximize the margins! Meanwhile I've met many skilled craftsmen pouring their heart and skill into gorgeous one off pieces. But I digress. Japan is a wonderful country with such a rich culture, both visually and in its detail, so fascinating from a distance. I don't think I could perform seppuku for anyone.
Thank you again for sharing.
Thanks, it's a pretty amazing place! I was reading that they recently shut it down to do a full clean, and the roof is it's original white color now. I imagine that's even more of a sight.
Wow what an adventure! I have always wanted to travel anywhere in the far east. So much history, culture, and food to try.
Such beauty, much wow.