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Assoc. Prof. Dr.Trinh Sinh
Geographical location
Located in central Japan, in Hyogo Prefecture, adjacent to the former capital Kyoto, this region retains many traditional cultural influences of the former capital. Numerous castles, fortifications, and customs of a region bordering the capital have been remarkably well preserved from a time when this central Japanese region was the center of the nation.
Himeji Castle is located in the center of Himeji City, 650 km west of Tokyo. Himeji Castle is nicknamed "White Heron" because its walls are covered with a layer of white plaster. Because the castle was built of wood rather than stone, a layer of white plaster was applied to all the walls, as well as the entire interior and exterior structure, to provide fire protection.
Tourists can take a high-speed rail train across Japan, along the beautiful coast, admiring the melting snow-capped peak of Mount Fuji resembling Santa Claus's hat, and seeing incredibly modern bridges connecting islands, passing through famous port cities like Osaka and Kobe, and finally stopping in this tourist city, located just 55 km west of Kobe.
According to ancient Japanese records, this is an ancient castle dating back to 1346. During the time when General Ikeda Teramasa controlled the area, society was peaceful, and he had the castle rebuilt in 1600. During World War II, the castle was partially destroyed by bombs, but it was later largely restored to its current state.
From afar, Himeji Castle stands magnificent and majestic, likened by the Japanese to a "white heron"—a noble bird symbolizing the purity and virtue of a gentleman—flying in the twilight. The castle is surrounded by the lush greenery of Himeji Kokoen Park, a typical traditional Japanese park.
Unique architecture
Himeji Castle is built atop Himeyama Hill, 45.6 meters above sea level. It is famous not only for its large main tower but also for its complex, labyrinthine defense system. Today, although the castle's pathways are clearly marked, visitors still get lost and struggle to find their way out.
The castle has elements of Chinese art in its secluded location nestled in the woods, rising high on a hilltop like a pagoda, and also elements of Western art in its sturdy medieval appearance.
For a long time, the Japanese have been aware of the preservation value of Himeji Castle. Therefore, the land surrounding the castle area is almost entirely restricted to the construction of residential buildings, and no high-rise buildings have been erected to "compete" for the space reserved exclusively for the castle.
Viewed from above, Himeji Castle appears as an oval-shaped oasis. A deep moat surrounds the castle, followed by a stone wall, then a band of trees, primarily pine and cypress, encircling it. Finally, a spacious park surrounds the entire castle. The castle has few gates; the main entrance, facing south, is very sturdy.
The entire six-story castle is built on massive, upright wooden columns. Some of these large columns have been scientifically dated to as far back as 780 years ago, belonging to the rare ancient species and made from cypress wood. The horizontal and vertical beams are also made of wood, even the partitions are made from unpainted, sawn wooden planks, retaining the natural color of the wood bark. The joining technique between the columns and beams is mortise and tenon, similar to the construction techniques used in Vietnamese temples and pagodas. Notably, the staircases connecting the floors are not located in the same coordinates but are scattered, creating strategically advantageous defensive positions.
From the top floor of the castle, one can see the entire tourist city, a blend of ancient and modern, with the deep blue of the Japanese Inland Sea in the distance—a picturesque scene. Because it's a fortress, the lowest level has only a few doors, made of wood with sturdy latches. The doorposts and bases are made from large blocks of stone, intricately carved.
Inside the castle were many buildings with fairly consistent architecture, connected by winding passageways. There were many small rooms along the corridors, some for generals, some for soldiers, and some for women. Notably, on the eastern side of the Daitenshu (Great Heaven) building was a small court, where Samurai knights performed the ritual suicide of Seppuku.
The castle's unique feature is its long, winding corridors, entirely made of wood, dating back to the early 17th century. The castle has very few open windows, only narrow rectangular ones, as it was primarily a defensive fortress. The pathways within the castle are zigzagging, and the fortress windows are strategically placed, allowing soldiers to fire flaming arrows, shoot guns, and hurl rocks and molten lead at the enemy. If an attack were to occur, the enemy would have to climb steep hills to reach the upper levels of the castle.
The architectural beauty of Himeji Castle, in addition to its main wooden structure, is also evident in its tiered roofs made of blue tubular tiles. The eaves and cornices are decorated with delicate floral patterns, created by embossing the designs before firing. These tubular tiles are mass-produced and standardized in terms of both size and pattern details. Just by looking at these tiles, one can see the high level of skill and meticulous craftsmanship of Japanese artisans in manufacturing building materials.
Viewed from a distance, the roofs are aligned parallel to each other like lines, and the gable ends are not sharply curved like those of Vietnamese religious architecture, thus creating a sense of grandeur. The gable ends of the two roofs often feature animal symbols, a style common in many East Asian architectural regions, although these animal figures are not very large. The castle's roof system is not broad but has pointed angles, a characteristic of roofing in cold regions, capable of withstanding the weight of snowfall in winter. The roof layers are cut at various angles, creating parallel or perpendicular roof edges, making the undulating roofs of the six floors visually appealing. This is also a distinctive feature of ancient Japanese architecture, found in many ancient and modern structures. In general, traditional Japanese architecture is influenced by Chinese and Korean architecture while still retaining its own unique identity.
But perhaps the most beautiful aspect is the harmonious blend of the landscape. The castle suddenly emerges amidst the green of the vegetation, the gray-brown of the stone walls, and is adorned with vibrant flowers in each season.
Before leaving, visitors can also see a well surrounded by square stone pillars on the south side of the castle, where a heart-wrenching legend of a restless ghost lingers. The famous BanshuSara-Yashiki story tells of the spirit of a castle maid who was tortured nearly to death after being falsely accused of stealing a valuable plate and thrown into a deep well, where her mournful cries are still heard every night.
Himeji Castle is a major tourist attraction, so several temporary houses have been built within the grounds in the castle's architectural style. Visitors can purchase books and newspapers about the castle's history and legends, as well as many traditional Japanese souvenirs. There is also a fortune-telling shop where many people draw cards. If the card accurately predicts the visitor's future, it brings immeasurable joy in a setting tinged with spiritual romance; if it's inaccurate, it's still a pleasant memory from a sightseeing trip. This is also a beautiful traditional aspect of Japanese culture preserved through generations.
