A pretty red plum blossom welcomed me, a new visitor.
This is the plum tree I took the photo. It was a cold day, many blossoms still hesitated to open themselves and watch primary school students coming to play in the castle park. The buds might be hearing shouts of joy presented by the children.
Castles in Japan basically shaped in a square and the four corners had this building called 'yagura' to watch the enemy and shoot them from high places.
This is the main gate of the castle.
This is an imaginary fish which was believed to have a special power of fire prevention.
A restored wall has many holes shaped in square, circle and triangle to shoot arrows and guns. This castle had not faced a war fortunately.
It is not easy for shooting through this small hole.
Thanks for these great infos...
ReplyDeleteHello rtc, It is a delight to see the delicate plum blossoms posed against the castle. Of course, not all castles are as beautifully conceived as this one--do you think that part of the reason was to remind the soldiers the ideals they were fighting for?
ReplyDeleteOn another note, did you ever read Dartmouth professor Noel Perrin's book "Giving up the Gun: Japan's Reversion to the Sword, 1543–1879" about how Japan had guns, but after a point stopped using them? Perrin's books are all a pleasure to read.
--Jim
How beautiful flower!
ReplyDeleteJapan is quite amazing to think that most of its wars had been civil between the warring states.
ReplyDeleteCastles in Japan are different from Greek castles but, as I see, all have the same small holes in the wall for shooting the enemies. Thank you so much for your great photos, my friend.
ReplyDeleteYes, it does not seem easy to shoot from this small hole
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos.
Have a nice Sunday
All the best
Maria
Divagar Sobre Tudo um Pouco
Ihave heard of this castle, but haven't visited it - not yet anyway! Thanks for the tour.
ReplyDeleteGood to see that early spring has come to your place.
ReplyDeleteIt is for the first time to know that an imaginary fish has a power of fire preventipon.Thank you!
Have a good day.
Lovely photographs, my favourite is your first one.
ReplyDeleteThat flower is gorgeous.
All the best Jan
Dearest RTC.,
ReplyDeleteHow I would love to be in Japan at the time of plum, peach or apricot blossom season!!!
Lovely photo of the advanced blooming bud, regardless the cold weather.
A very nice castle and I noticed some iron stained walls below the shooting holes.
Guess from watering the lower part of the walls got wet and left these stains.
Hoping that you are enjoying some milder weather and more full blossoms!
Hugs,
Mariette
Japanese castles are very beautiful. But plum blossoms even more beautiful. I love to see the first blossom of Spring! What a nice post!
ReplyDeleteImagens incríveis, deste castelo, e dos seus jardins!...
ReplyDeleteComo sempre, uma publicação, que me deixou verdadeiramente encantada!
Adorei ver! Beijinhos! Continuação de uma óptima semana!
Ana
What a unique and interesting place. I love your photos, especially the one with the blooming flower.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
How beautiful and peaceful. This place is truly a haven.
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for stopping by my blog today! Most appreciated!
That Pink bloom is so lovely. Such a soft pretty color. It looks like Spring is arriving in your area. Happy March days.
ReplyDelete~Sheri
Very beautiful spring!
ReplyDelete