HIMEJI CASTLE HISTORY
Himeji Castle History - Himeji Castle History started in 1333 as a fort and developed to the current Himeji Castle.
History Himeji Castle:
In 1333 Norimura Akamatsu, the
ruler of Harima District, built a fort where the Himeji Castle now stands.
ln 1346 his son, Sadanori further expanded the fort.
In the 16th century the fort was removed and a three story castle was
built in its place by Hideyoshi Hasiba. This is the basic structure that
is seen today. In 1601 Terumasa Ikeda started digging three moats
around the castle building and completed the whole castle complex as it is
in 1609. The outer moat is just north of where J.R. Himeji train station
is today. After the Ikedas, Tadamasa Honda added some buildings in West
Bailey.
Main Tower with the smaller towers and corridors connecting these towers
have been registered as national treasures. The Cosmetic Tower, 27 'yagura',
15 gates, and 1,000 meter long earthen walls have been registered as
important cultural treasures. A part of the middle moat, and the whole
inner moat retained as they were In the feudal times. The area inside the
middle moat has been registered as a special historical site.
The Himeji Castle has never been involved in war or battle.
It is difficult in the pictures to really project how steep and imposing
the structure is.