Things people “know” about Japanese castles
Some are half true. Some are just wrong.
Myth Every Japanese castle you see today is original.
Fact Many castles you see in Japan today are modern replicas. JNTO: Discover Japan’s Twelve Original Castles JNTO lists twelve still-standing original castles. JNTO: Discover Japan’s Twelve Original Castles
Myth Japanese castles were built of stone all the way up.
Fact UNESCO calls it a masterpiece of construction in wood. UNESCO World Heritage Centre: Himeji-jo The thick white plaster resists fire and bullets. JNTO: Himeji Castle (UNESCO)
Myth A keep has as many floors inside as storeys outside.
Fact Matsumoto Castle is the oldest surviving castle with five stories outside but six floors inside. Matsumoto Castle official website: About Matsumoto Castle From outside it looks like five storeys, but inside there are eight floors, including a basement. Japan Tourism Agency: Osaka Castle Main Tower
Myth Japanese castles were only for fighting.
Fact JNTO says Kochi Castle served as the home of the region’s lord, rather than being only for war. JNTO: Discover Japan’s Twelve Original Castles The Moon-Viewing Tower, with its vermilion-lacquered veranda, was designed for peaceful gatherings. Japan Tourism Agency: Key Features of Matsumoto Castle
Myth The castles survived because nobody wanted them pulled down.
Fact JNTO says almost all Japan’s castles were taken down after 1868, when samurai rule ended, or lost in the Second World War. JNTO: Discover Japan’s Twelve Original Castles It was nearly torn down in the Meiji era and was saved by local people. Matsumoto Castle official website: About Matsumoto Castle
Myth Every Japanese castle stands on a mountain.
Fact Matsumoto is a flatland castle, built on flat ground 590 metres above sea level. Matsumoto Castle official website: The Keep and Its Structure Hirosaki Castle is built on a flat plain, unlike many castles on high ground. JNTO: Hirosaki Castle
Myth Osaka’s main tower is 400 years old.
Fact The Japan Tourism Agency says today’s tower, built in 1931, is the third main tower on the site. Japan Tourism Agency: Osaka Castle Main Tower The tower is 58 metres tall and made of steel and concrete, on the old stone base. Japan Tourism Agency: Osaka Castle Main Tower
Myth The 2016 earthquake ruined Kumamoto Castle for good.
Fact The 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake damaged the castle. Kumamoto Castle official website: History The main tower was fully restored by March 2021, as a symbol of recovery. Kumamoto Castle official website: History
Myth Nagoya’s golden ornaments are just painted gold.
Fact The scales of both golden ornaments are covered in 18 carat gold. Nagoya Castle official website: Nagoya Castle
Myth Ninjas could climb any castle wall.
Fact Kumamoto’s curved stone walls are called musha-gaeshi, roughly “warrior repellent”: the higher you climb, the steeper they get. Kumamoto Castle official website: History The castle’s website says even nimble ninjas failed to climb the walls. Kumamoto Castle official website: History
Want pupils to weigh the evidence for themselves? The Japanese Castles History Detective Pack asks which is Japan’s oldest castle keep and why the sources answer differently, with six short sources and their provenance, an evidence table, a dates task, a judgement task and full answers (paid download, $4.49 USD, A4 and US Letter).