Every time you go the castle, you will have a new perspective.
Features (The Large Main Tower)
The Large Main Tower has five layers, but its inside has six levels with a basement. The tower was built using the lookout tower style. This type of tower usually has a small look-out tower on a large-scale turret with hip-and-gable roofs. But Himeji’s tower looks smart and doesn’t have a veranda at the top floor that other look-out towers usually have. The tower is categorized as the late lookout tower type that would evolve into the multi-storied type later.
The Large Main Tower of Himeji Castle (the late lookout tower type)The Main Tower of Inuyama Castle (the lookout tower style)The Main Tower of Fukuyama Castle (the multi-storied type)
Its roofs are decorated with many Chinese style gables and triangular shaped gables. White plaster is painted thickly over its walls as well as the gaps among the roof tiles to protect against fire, that makes it looks like a white heron. On the other hand, it is also equipped with lots of machicolations and loopholes for battles. You can enter into the tower, but please note that you may have to stand in a line over an hour because the tower is very popular. In addition, only a limited number of visitors are allowed inside at a time. Unlike its gorgeous appearance, its inside is built very practically. The tower was actually built as a place just for battle.
The beautiful decorations of the Main TowerThe interior of the Main Tower (licensed by alisdair via Wikimedia Commons)
The inside has kitchens, toilets and warehouses to accommodate many soldiers for a long siege. You can also see how soldiers could use machicolations and loopholes inside. The Large Main Tower is mainly supported by two large pillars (the East and West). The West Large Pillar had actually been spoiled, so it was replaced with new one when The Showa Great Repairs were done in 1959. The foot of the East Large Pillar was also fixed then. You can now see these large pillars clearly above the third floor.
A kitchen in the Main Tower (licensed by Corpse Reviver via Wikimedia Commons)The West Large Pillar (taken by あけび from photoAC)
Features (Sides and Back of Castle)
The map around the castle
Himeji Castle has a lot of perspectives even in the sides and back. Let me introduce some of them. First, on the front foot of Himeyama mountain, you can see terraced stone walls which are piled with natural stones, a primitive method called “Nozura-zumi”. They are said to be built by Hideyoshi Hashiba or Kanbe Kuroda. They also surround Kamiyamazato Enclosure which is one of the oldest enclosures in the castle.
The old stone walls surrounding Kamiyamazato Enclosure
Moving to the right side of the castle, you can see the edge of the moat which is separated from the Inner Moat. There was the warehouse for freight called Uchisenba-gura nearby. This meant that the moat was used as a port.
The Inner Moat used as a port
The stone walls on the eastern side of Ido Enclosure are among the highest stone walls in the castle. In addition, the right side of the Large Main Tower is outstanding where you can see the great hip-and-gable roof on the second layer. The combination of them is perfect for a picture.
The high stone walls under Ido EnclosureThe right side of the Main TowerThe combination of the Main Tower and the high stone walls
On the back side of the castle, you can see another edge of the moat. In fact, the edge is the starting point of all the swirling moats in the castle. The back of Himeyama mountain still remains natural, so its appearance with the Main Towers has a unique perspective. The area around has the doubled Inner Moats as the second turn of the moats starts there and they offered strong protection to the back of the castle.
The start point of the moatThe Main Tower on the back of the mountainThe second turn of the moat
宮殿のような優雅な城跡です。
Elegant castle ruins looking like a palace
立地と歴史～Location and History
繁栄する琉球とグスク～Prospering Ryukyu and Gusuku
１４、１５世紀ころ、琉球諸島（現在の沖縄諸島）は貿易によって栄えました。当時、中国の明王朝は海外の国との民間貿易を禁じていました。その代わりに、日本（琉球とは違う国とみなされていました）、朝鮮、東南アジア諸国は、琉球を通して中国と交易していました。中国は、琉球が頻繁に朝貢することと、諸国と貿易することを認めたからです。結果的に、琉球には「按司」と呼ばれた有力な豪族が多く現れ、中国や他国と貿易を行い、力をつけていきました。 Around the 14th and 15th centuries, the Ryukyu Islands (what is now Okinawa Islands) prospered thanks to trading. At that time, the Ming Dynasty that governed China banned private trading with foreign countries. Instead, countries like Japan (considered different from Ryukyu), Korea, and South East Asians traded with China through Ryukyu, because China allowed Ryukyu to bring a tribute frequently as well as to trade with them. As a result, many powerful clans in Ryukyu called “Aji” traded with China and other countries, and had great power.
琉球王国の進貢船、沖縄県立博物館・美術館～A tribute ship from the Ryukyu Kingdom, Okinawa Prefectural Museum and Art Museum collection（licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons）
彼らは沖縄諸島一帯に、３００以上の大規模な要塞を築き「グスク」と呼ばれました。グスクは城のようでもありましたが、館や礼拝所としても使われたようです。中城城はもっとも大きなグスクの一つであり、グスク跡としてももっともよく保存されているものの一つです。 They built over 300 large-scale fortresses called “Gusuku” around the Ryukyu Islands. They looked like a castles, but they could also be used as a hall or shrine. Nakagusuku Castle was one of the largest Gusuku, and is one of the best preserved Gusuku ruins.
城の位置～The location of the castle
中城城の完成～The completion of Nakagusuku Castle
中城城は最初１４世紀中頃に先中城按司によって築かれました。城は、沖縄本島にある標高１６０ｍの丘の上にあり、東側は天然の要害として高い崖となっていました。また、わずか２ｋｍのところに、当時は貿易港であった八木港がありました。先中城按司は、一の郭、二の郭、南の郭、西の郭といった主要な曲輪を作りました。１５世紀になって琉球王国の重臣であった護佐丸が三の郭、北の郭を加えて城を完成させました。 It is said that Nakagusuku Castle was first built in the mid 14th century by Sachi-Nakagusuku Aji clan. The castle was located on a 160m high hill on Okinawa Island with a high cliff in on the east as natural barrier. It was also only 2 km away from the Yagi Port which was once a trade port. Sachi-Nakagusuku Aji clan built the main parts of the castle, such as the First Enclosure or Ichinokaku ,the Second Enclosure or Ninokaku, the South Enclosure or Minaminokaku, and the West Enclosure or Nishinokaku. In the 15th century, a senior vassal of the Ryukyu Kingdom, Gosamaru completed the castle, adding the Third Enclosure or Sannokaku, and The North Enclosure or Kitanokaku.
現地にある城跡の模型～The miniature model of the castle ruins at the site
護佐丸の乱～Gosamaru Rebellion
護佐丸は、王国に反抗していた勝連城の有力な按司である阿麻和利から王国を守るため、中城城に滞在していました。ところが、護佐丸は阿麻和利によって王国への反逆者として仕立てられてしまいます。護佐丸はそれを知って嘆き悲しみ自ら命を絶ってしまったのです。これは阿麻和利が王国や護佐丸をだましたのだと言われていますが、真相は不明です。その後、阿麻和利も王国により討たれてしまったからです。 Gosamaru stayed at the castle to protect the Ryukyu Kingdom from another powerful Aji called Amawari at Katsuren Castle who was against the Kingdom. However, Gosamaru was considered as a rebel against the Kingdom by Amawari. Gosamaru felt very sad about it, and killed himself. It is said that Amawari deceived the Kingdom and Gosamaru, but the details are uncertain, as Amawari was also defeated by the Kingdom later.
城周辺の地図～The map around the castle
その後、この城は王国の王子の所有となりました。江戸時代に王国が日本の薩摩藩の支配下にあった間は、城は番所として使われていました。 After that, the castle was owned by the Prince of the Kingdom. During the Edo Period, when the Kingdom was under the Satsuma Feudal Domain of Japan, the castle was used as a guardhouse.
中城城跡～The ruins of Nakagusuku Castle
特徴～Features
城周辺の航空写真～The aerial photo of around the castle
城跡に入る～Entering the Castle Ruins
現在、中城城跡は今でもとてもよい場所にあると言えます。城跡は島が狭くなっている部分の高い場所にあるので、東は太平洋の、西は東シナ海の素晴らしい景色を見渡すことができます。この城の城主は、敵味方の動きを容易につかめたことでしょう。 Now, the ruins of Nakagusuku Castle still have a very good location. They are located on a high point where the island is narrow, so you can have a great view of the Pacific Ocean on the east and the East China Sea on the west. That meant that a lord of the castle was able to see the movement of his friends and enemies.
城跡から見た太平洋～A view of the Pacific Ocean from the ruins
観光客が城跡の入口に入ると、カートで城の正門の近くまで乗せていってもらえます。そこからその門まで登っていきますが、それは西の郭の入口でもあります。この郭は、一の郭と南の郭に隣り合っています。一の郭の素晴らしい高石垣が見えることでしょう。 When visitors enter the entrance of the ruins, they are driven near the front gate of the castle by a cart. You can walk up to the gate which is also the entrance of the West Enclosure. The enclosure is next to the First Enclosure and South Enclosure. You can also see the great high stone walls of First Enclosure.
正門～The front gate一の郭の高石垣～The stone walls of the First Enclosure
更に南の郭の入口に進みます。この郭は城で最も古い部分と考えられています。その石垣が部分的に自然の石灰岩により積まれていて、「野面積み」と呼ばれる原始的な方式によるからです。この郭には３箇所の拝所跡があり、例えばその一つでは雨乞いを祈願していました。 You can go further to the entrance of South Enclosure. The enclosure is thought to be the oldest part, because its stone walls were partly piled with natural lime stones, a primitive method called “Nozura-zumi”. There are three places for worship in ruins in the enclosure, such as one where you could pray for rain.
南の郭へ進みます～Going to the South Enclosure南の郭の入口、写真の右上部分は野面積みです～The entrance of the South Enclosure, the upper right portion in this picture is built with “Nozura-zumi”雨乞イノ御嶽（拝所）～The place of praying for rain
素晴らしい石垣と景色～Wonderful Stone Walls and Views
南の郭から、アーチ型の門を通って一の郭に進みます。この門は護佐丸がこの城を拡張したときに作ったと言われています。一の郭は、この城の中心であり、最も大きい郭です。ここには正殿がありました。ここの石垣は、四角く加工した石灰岩により築かれており、「布積み」と呼ばれます。この方式は南の郭のものより進歩しており、このため一の郭は南の郭より後に作られたようです。また、石垣の上には展望台があり、太平洋の絶景を見渡すことができます。二の郭がまた隣りにあります。その郭の石垣の輪郭はとても美しいです。 From the South Enclosure, you can go to the First Enclosure through the arch entrance gate. It is said that Gosamaru had this arch shaped when he improved the castle. The First Enclosure is the main and largest enclosure of the castle. There was the main hall in it. Its stone walls were built with processed square lime stones, a method called “Nuno-zumi”. The method is more developed than the South Enclosure’s, so the First Enclosure seemed to have been built after the South Enclosure. There is also the observation deck on the stone walls where you can have a great view of the Pacific Ocean. The Second Enclosure is the next one. The shape of this enclosure’s stone walls is very beautiful.
一の郭へのアーチ門、石垣は布積み～The arch entrance gate to the First Enclosure, its stone walls are built with “Nuno-zumi”正殿跡～The ruins of the Main Hall一の郭から見た太平洋～The Pacific Ocean from the First Enclosure二の郭の石垣～The stone walls of the Second Enclosure
護佐丸の貢献～Work of Gosamaru
護佐丸が後から追加した北の郭に行くには、一旦西の郭に戻る必要があります。北の郭には「ウフガー」と呼ばれる井戸の跡があります。それまでは城の内部には井戸がなかったので、これも護佐丸により築かれました。 You need to go back to the West Enclosure to go to the North Enclosure which was added by Gosamaru later. The North enclosure has the ruins of a well called “Ufugaa”. The well was also built by him, as the castle didn’t have no well inside.
北の郭にある井戸～The well at the North Enclosure
最後の三の郭には北の郭から向かいます。この郭は最も新しい郭で、アーチ型の裏門があり、護佐丸が築きました。北の郭と三の郭の石垣は、「相方積み」といわれる方式で作られています。この方式は加工した石灰岩をランダムに、しかし強固に積んでいくもので、この城では最も進化した複雑なものです。それでこれらの郭が最新とわかるのです。 You can walk from the North Enclosure to the Third Enclosure, the last one. The enclosure is also the newest one with the arch shaped back gate that Gosamaru built. The North and Third Enclosures have stone walls built in the method called “Aikata-zumi”. This method refers to piling randomly processed lime stones solidly. It is the most advanced and complex way in the castle, so we can see these enclosures are the newest.
三の郭～The Third Enclosure裏門～The back gate相方積みで積まれた三の郭の石垣～The stone walls of the Third Enclosure built with “Aikata-zumi”
その後～Later History
明治維新後、日本政府により琉球王国は廃止され、日本の一つの県になりました。城は中城村の役場として使われていました。第二次世界大戦で焼けてしまうまでは何らかの建物が残っていたようです。更には、日本陸軍が城に駐在し、陣地を作り始めました。ところが、その後すぐ命令により他に移っていきました。そのために石垣や土台など城の遺跡が現在までよく保存され残っているのです。この遺跡は２０００年に琉球王国のグスク及び関連遺産群として世界遺産に登録されています。 After the Meiji Restoration, the Ryukyu Kingdom was abolished, as it was taken in as one of Japan’s prefectures by the Japanese Government. The castle was used as the village office of Nakagusuku Village. Some buildings seemed to remain until they were burned during World War II. In addition, the Japanese Army once stayed at the castle and started to build a position. However, they were ordered to moved to another soon after. That’s why the ruins of castle (stone walls, foundation etc) remain well preserved until today. They have been on the World Heritage List as Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu since 2000.
石垣の下の日本軍が掘った壕～The shelter that the Japanese Army dug under the stone walls
私の感想～My Impression
日本の本土では、石垣造りの城が一般化するのは１６世紀のことです。戦での鉄砲の使用への対応と、建築技術の向上が要因であると言われています。沖縄では、石垣造りの城が本土より２世紀も早く出現しました。その理由の一つは、石灰岩が加工しやすいこともあったでしょう。もちろん戦いのための城であるからには、より強力な城にする必要もありました。更にもう一つの理由は、グスクの城主たちは彼らの権威や信仰を表したかったのだと思います。それでこんなにも美しく見えるのでしょう。 In Japan mainland, castles with stone walls became popular in the 16th century. It is said that the needs for wars using guns and developing construction technology caused that change. In Okinawa Island, castles with stone walls appeared two centuries earlier than on the mainland. One of the reasons for that was that lime stones were easier to process. Of course, the castles were used for a battle. Stronger castles were another reason. I think that another reasons was the lords of the “Gusuku” castles wanted to show their authority and faith, so that’s why they look very beautiful.
二の郭～The Second Enclosure
ここに行くには～How to get There
ここに行くには、車を使うことをお勧めします。 那覇空港から： 車の場合、那覇空港自動車道に名嘉地ＩＣから入り、西原ＪＣＴで沖縄自動車道に合流し、北中城ＩＣで降りてください。城跡はそこから５ｋｍ以内で、駐車場もあります。 I recommend you to visit it by car. From the Naha Airport: By car, enter Naha Airport Expressway at the Nakachi IC, join Okinawa Expressway at the Nishihara JCT, and get off the expressway at Kita-Nakagusuku IC. The ruins are within 5 km from the IC, and offers a parking lot.
