Binge watched your entire samurai history series, up to and including the Date Masamune episode. I’ve loved the samurai and Japanese history for years, and your channel is full of it. Here’s a sub.
I'm so glad that you pick Osaka Castle as number one, just as I would pick ! I think it's so unique because it's located at the same great siege of Ishiyama Honganji which maybe the longest siege in Sengoku period. It's also where the famous Sanada Maru being constructed to hold of the Tokugawa forces during the Siege of Osaka. Truly the epitome of Sengoku Era castle !
I have been to a few of these castles. I actually went Odawara with a friend from Australia who married into and was adopted by a family that used to serve the Hojo back in the Sengoku Period. He is not Japanese at all, not even part, but he has a legal Japanese name, is legally Japanese, and all that stuff.
@@TheShogunate Well that is not an option any more since the samurai no longer exist. However, since he is the heir to the family name now, he will inherit the swords, armor, documents, and whatever else they have from their family's samurai days.
I've visited 7 of the castles in your top 10: Hiroshima, Nijo, Gifu, Himeji, Odawara, Edo, and Osaka castles. I agree with most of your list, though I would also consider Fushimi, Iwamura (visited, marvellous place), Tottori (visited) and Takamatsu. The castles of Shikoku tend to be better preserved (Matsuyama is magnificent), a shame we can't find space for one of them in this list. If not for covid-19, I'd be visiting more castles this autumn. :(
Matsuyama is pretty exceptional as an original. I'd also suggest Kumamoto in Kyushu is up there as while the tenshu is a recreation (still a number of original turrents), the original grounds, and extents of the castle are easily interpretable in a visit. Kumamoto has committed preserving and upgrading the place so getting better all the time. Many of the places provided have had the outer grounds eaten up by the new cities coming up around them.
@@kimrothe2745 Kumamoto also actually proved to be just as impregnable as intended even in the late 1800s. AFTER much of it had already been burnt down days prior to the start of the siege.
Have been watching your series with great joy and anticipation, and so very much appreciate the personal input on historic points and the humourous asides. As a confirmed Nihonophile white boy, being able to watch these superbly researched, considered and HUMAN insights on an otherwise "outside" culture puts Japan, ancient and modern alike, almost within touching distance. All greatest thanks, and will definitely continue perusing your work.
Every year for 1 week they let the common folk (and us gaijin as well) into the inner areas on Edo castle. The foundation of the old tenshu is very cool and they point out where (there is just grass now) the buildings, including Ooku 大奥 used to stand.
I think Takeshi Kitano should build a real castle where he can stay and use it in many ways like a museum, a studio or even have it loaned to be used as a castle for any taiga drama or jidaigeki film that is going to be made
Based mainly on architecture and condition of preservation, I would have placed Himeji castle in number 1 (is the best samurai castle I think, I hope I can visit it at some time), or at least number 2 after Azuchi Castle, and then put here Matsumoto and Kumamoto, and many others of Shikoku great island. But, for historical importance, I agree with you. Although I have put Ueda somewhere there too XD It's a shame Ueda no longer has its tenshuukaku, though. Osaka Castle is indeed important, no castle saw a war so complex and big as Siege of Osaka; and as a Yukimura fan, and having actually visited it, Osaka Castle has a special place in my heart since it was the first Japanese Castle I was at. However, the tenshuukaku was rebuilt oddly, with a lot of inaccuracies, and in the inside it is a modern and incredible museum, yet it doesn't have the feeling of being a samurai castle at all (it has even an elevator and holographic items).
Basically I agree with most of the castles that you have chosen for your list. I may quibble a bit on the order but that is partially personal preference. The only omission that I see is that the minor fortification of Sunpu Castle not being on list. Sunpu is important for it's close ties to Tokugawa Ieyasu both before and definitely after becoming Shogun. After his retirement as official Shogun in 1605, until his death in 1616, Sunpu was where Ieyasu lived, and ran his shadow government from. Sunpu remained a major administrative center during the entire Tokugawa Shogunate. Therefore, on importance scale I feel it deserves consideration, since most assume that Tokugawa Ieyasu was Japan's greatest Shogun and unifier, and it was at Sunpu that he developed, and spent much of his life. That alone should makes Sunpu an important castle. Although on pure aesthetics of all Ieyasu's former residences I would have chosen Nijo. Having walked the ruins of Edo, I can only imagine that at the height of it's importance, it must have been amazing.
Indeed Takeshi's castle has a legacy rivalled by none. Thanks for the top 10. My next trip to japan will be planned on the sites mentioned in this list.
I pretty damn spot on list if you ask me. The only ones I would say would be maybe Ichijōdani Castle due to it being really more of a residential place and that was a little ahead of it's time and Odani castle but I just kinda like the Azai clan haha great vid as always.
Todos los castillos presentados en el video acompañados de la historia que cuenta el narrador basada en hechos historicos tienen un valor sagrado gracias
I think that the Tsuruga castle was also pretty important for the history of japan, as Aizu and the Boshin war is seen as a stepping stone for the start of the Imperial era.
Nagoya Castle should be getting interesting. One of my friends works with the Aichi and Nagoya governments, and was part of the team that worked to get the goten (palace) rebuilt in an authentic manner a while back. They are now in the process of rebuilding the tenshu in an authentic manner as well. It is to be rebuilt as it would have originally been under the Tokugawa (rather than a concrete reproduction that is really just a museum that looks like a castle). Once that is completed, the tenshu and the goten should be accurate representations of how the castle looked inside and out hundreds of years ago.
Agreed! I first visited Nagoya castle in 2012 while I was in town for work and got to see an nice byoubu screen exhibit for an extra 200 yen or something that in the museum. It was the second best display of byoubu screens I had seen with the first one being at the Cleveland musuem of art around 2002 or so. The goten was currently being rebuilt when I was visiting and meandered around the grounds. The second time I was able to visit with a friend was in 2017 and the goten had been rebuilt and it was amazing! The fact that they replicated the interior decorations with photos blew my mind and I absolutely loved the room with the tigers. I also may have bought a plushie golden dophin shachihoko, which my friend calls the golden ebi as a joke for her. It all started out with a request for a 'golden ebi' by her.
Good list! Watched the video, while taking a break from battling the Chosokabe, as Hattori, in Shogun 2. Out of curiousity I looked up Kochi Castle in Tosa Province. It was built by Yamauchi Kazutoy. "Much of the original fortress burned down in 1727; it was reconstructed between 1729 and 1753 in the original style. During the Boshin War, Kōchi escaped any damage, and the castle was also exempted from the post-Meiji restoration orders to destroy all remaining feudal fortifications.The castle also survived World War 2 unscathed, and underwent major restoration from 1948 to 1959. Though no battles were fought at the castle, it is noteworthy because the castle is the original structure, and not a post-war replica. It is also the only castle in Japan to retain both its original tenshu, or keep, and its palace, the residence of the local daimyō. In fact, it is the only castle to have all the original buildings in the honmaru, or innermost ring of defense, still standing." I find it important in the sense of it surviving unscathed to our time.
I like to add Fushimi Castle for it is where Torii Mototada held Ishida Mitsunari's forces. If he had succeeded on taking the castle as soon as possible, then Tokugawa wouldn't be able to prepare for the Battle at Sekigahara
@@loveofmangos001 No its not irelevant. Kobayakawa's betrayal is not a guarantee. The fact Ieyasu resorted to firing his cannons on Kobayakawa's position goes to show that even him knows hes in danger cause of Kobayakawa's strategic position. So he rather eliminate him than to risk being flanked. Besides his betrayal is a bit late as most of Ishida's allies have turned against him during the battle. This betrayal is juat a bonus imo. If Ieyasu soley rely on the betraying generals and hasnt prepared his army would you think they still betray? Thats why IMO the Battle of Fushimi Castle is underrated.
I agree with you on most points in the video, but I think Edo Castle is the best of all time due to its size, defensive capabilities, status and since it is still officially the residence of the head of state. Although I would say Osaka Castle is prettier. Great video very interesting 👍
From my visit to Japan twice before covid, I would rank them as follows: 4: Imperial Palace in Tokyo (only the outer walls with no reconstructed Tenshu , 3: Nijo Castle in Kyoto (Has many of the traditional buildings but no Tenshu , 2: Osaka Castle (nice exteriors but the interiors are completely modern as a museum and no traditional structures inside) and then 1: Himeji Castle in Himeji City (Many traditional buildings plus did a 2 hour fb stream and the garden Koko-en). Himeji hands down from my visit as being the best Sengoku Tenshu I have ever been to.
As a Big fan of James Clavells 'Shogun', here is a list of filming locations. Hikone Castle, Hikone, Shiga Prefecture (Toranaga's Castle) Himeji Castle, Himeji, Hyogo Fushimi Castle, Fushimi District, Kyoto
What would have been very cool.. is a quick reference on a map of where they are located in Japan... we can look it up yes.. but would have been a great visual reference.
It's a little poor choice not to include Tsuruga-jo in Aizu-Wakamatsu. Especially considered it's siege in the battle of Aizu, in the Boshin War. It held importance as being one of the final strongholds of the Edo Shogunate in 1868.
Honestly you hit all the castles I want to visit or at least their sites but there is one and it's to respect the man. Odani castle, I wish to respect nagamasa azai as he did face one of the hardest choices. To support his wife's family and betray a long alliance or keep that long alliance and fight his wife's husband.
The choice is going to depend on your criteria. Your list is based on the historical significance of the castles. That's one view. If I'm recommending castles for people to visit, I'd recommend ones which have been maintained in their original form, like Himeji, Matsuyama, Matsue and Matsue, or are great examples of reconstruction like Kanazawa, where you can learn about the construction methods.
Looking at the hairstyles in these illustrations (and in various taiga dramas / chambara) I noticed that samurai would often wear their hair down under helmets (sometimes with a headband), or just have it in a low ponytail instrad of the usual iconic style, was this typical? Also, on an unrelated note, you have a really nice voice :D
In 14:50 you’re wrong when you claim that you can still see the foundations of the OLD tenshukaku (keep) of Edo Castle. The Ishigaki foundation you showed is the 4th Ishigaki foundation. However, there was never any tenshukaku keep donjon built on top of it, as the Shogunate decided that Edo was not in danger of any invasion, and forewent the cost of building a 4th tenshukaku keep donjon. The previous (3rd) Ishigaki foundation, which housed the 3rd tenshukaku keep donjon was actually in a different part of the castle, much more to the west of the current (4th) Ishigaki. You won’t be able to see the Ishigaki foundation of the OLD tenshukaku keep donjon as it buried.
It's slightly redundant, because you already have Osaka Castle on the list, and it's not technically a castle from an architectural standpoint, but I'd have to say Ishiyama Hongan-ji. It withstood a siege from the most powerful warlord in Japan for over a decade.
Look up the Yakushi-ji Toto pagoda. One of my bucket list builds is to recreate it in a Minecraft snow biome but it’s really tricky to get the proportions right.
This is super cool. ive seen a few of these castles when i went to visit family. #10 castle looks like the one my families ancestors lived in, i forgot its name, but it was torn down during the meji era, and its atop a mountain/ or large hill sitting between 2 rivers. Osaka castle i got to visit , the sky scraper to its left in the photo i ate some fancy steak with the elders of the family. the himeji castle was very cool, and has huge selection of bugs, and butterflys on display inside. i didnt see it here, but there was this one castle i got to visit was up in the mountains, and it was kept supported hundreds of feet in the air, in between the trees, this might have been a shrine though, but each of these places are super cool, thanks for the vid, this was a blast from the past.
I've found it hard to remember which castle is which. (Over time and learning the history (stories / Taiga Dramas) I am getting better.) I had the same problem with Prefectures, Clans and Famous characters (armor). Google Images Clans (Mon) obviously Famous characters (NHK Taiga Drama information (family trees) helped a little. Famous Armor (Miniature armor collections) Prefectures (Mascots Yuru Chara) maps Tokyo (Yamanote Line) train stations Could (be) have been easier though...
Yeah.. I'm just trying to spread myself out a bit more because the Sengoku Jidai episodes really take it out of me with the amount of work they require.
That is had they not messed with Pearl in the first place, had the naval victors of WW1 (Japan being one of the minor ally of the entente) been not too restrictive of capital ship building
Liked and shared. To my mind, the greatest legacy of Daimyo/Empire pride was the citadel on IJN Yamato. No cannon, no weapon, other than statecraft, available to the forces of either shogunate or Meiji empire could penetrate its pristine perfection. Air conditioning, hot and cold running water, refrigeration, magical senses (i.e.: RaDAR), and a 3000 man cadre of fanatical followers. Unlike those lesser works, those land bound imitators, the Yamato could serenely sail through tyfun, fast as most birds, but ever west, so that the guidon of Japan might always be the rising sun.
Reason of Edo castle wasn’t rebuilt after the great city wide fire was Edo government chose to spend money on rebuilding the Edo city instead of castle rebuilding. Money was scarce and there was no war to worry about, money well spent.
I've been to: Nijou, Gifu, Himeji, the Azuchi-Themepark and Osaka Castle. I'd personally put Kagoshima Castle somewhere in the list, as in the Battle of Shiroyama the Period of the Samurai ended definitely, but I'm unsure which one to throw out, maybe Himeji, but I've been there and it's definitely the most important today, so maybe Gassan Toda, but only because I dont know much about it so maybe there's something important about it that I dont know, or maybe Hiroshima castle
remember Japanese Castles are ancient buildings. in the future 25th century year 2420. the tenshu doesn't exist at all. it will be in ruins and never rebuilt. the Japanese Castles are extremely darn old it is. the Samurai Castles were from the different periods of time. you all can see the histories.
I really don't get the point of rebuilding an entire castle. What is the value? Just because it looks like the old one doesn't make it the same. If a city decides to build one today, would anyone care? That's pretty much the same.
Binge watched your entire samurai history series, up to and including the Date Masamune episode. I’ve loved the samurai and Japanese history for years, and your channel is full of it. Here’s a sub.
I'm so glad that you pick Osaka Castle as number one, just as I would pick ! I think it's so unique because it's located at the same great siege of Ishiyama Honganji which maybe the longest siege in Sengoku period. It's also where the famous Sanada Maru being constructed to hold of the Tokugawa forces during the Siege of Osaka. Truly the epitome of Sengoku Era castle !
I would try to add in Ueda castle somewhere in there for the failed sieges by the Tokugawa that happened there
I completely agree, but I also attribute those victories more to the success of the Sanada tactics and Tokugawa stupidity haha
ueda was more of a fort right? it wasn't a grand castle like osaka, for example
I have been to a few of these castles. I actually went Odawara with a friend from Australia who married into and was adopted by a family that used to serve the Hojo back in the Sengoku Period. He is not Japanese at all, not even part, but he has a legal Japanese name, is legally Japanese, and all that stuff.
Well if I was him I would get my wife's father to name me a Samurai. Even though it wouldn't really count haha, just would be cool to say
@@TheShogunate Well that is not an option any more since the samurai no longer exist. However, since he is the heir to the family name now, he will inherit the swords, armor, documents, and whatever else they have from their family's samurai days.
Odawara is incredible mate
@@SengokuStudies oh shit that's a lot of cool stuff
Azuchi Castle was just a tragic castle, representing broken dreams and unflfilled wishes.
OMG Japanese architecture is amazing!! Such structures from so long ago is breathtaking!!!
I've visited 7 of the castles in your top 10: Hiroshima, Nijo, Gifu, Himeji, Odawara, Edo, and Osaka castles. I agree with most of your list, though I would also consider Fushimi, Iwamura (visited, marvellous place), Tottori (visited) and Takamatsu. The castles of Shikoku tend to be better preserved (Matsuyama is magnificent), a shame we can't find space for one of them in this list. If not for covid-19, I'd be visiting more castles this autumn. :(
Matsuyama is pretty exceptional as an original. I'd also suggest Kumamoto in Kyushu is up there as while the tenshu is a recreation (still a number of original turrents), the original grounds, and extents of the castle are easily interpretable in a visit. Kumamoto has committed preserving and upgrading the place so getting better all the time. Many of the places provided have had the outer grounds eaten up by the new cities coming up around them.
@@kimrothe2745
Kumamoto also actually proved to be just as impregnable as intended even in the late 1800s. AFTER much of it had already been burnt down days prior to the start of the siege.
Have been watching your series with great joy and anticipation, and so very much appreciate the personal input on historic points and the humourous asides. As a confirmed Nihonophile white boy, being able to watch these superbly researched, considered and HUMAN insights on an otherwise "outside" culture puts Japan, ancient and modern alike, almost within touching distance. All greatest thanks, and will definitely continue perusing your work.
Every year for 1 week they let the common folk (and us gaijin as well) into the inner areas on Edo castle. The foundation of the old tenshu is very cool and they point out where (there is just grass now) the buildings, including Ooku 大奥 used to stand.
EXCELLENT video as always sir! I really enjoy your content man! I cannot get enough of your Sengoku Jidai series!
Number 1 Takeshi's castle!!
Everyone agrees with that*
there are more people landed on moon than those who win Takeshi castle
I think Takeshi Kitano should build a real castle where he can stay and use it in many ways like a museum, a studio or even have it loaned to be used as a castle for any taiga drama or jidaigeki film that is going to be made
I have to say this was an excellent presentation. Good content and visually beautiful to look at.
Well done, thank you for posting.
I love how you put way of the samurai 3 music in the video that game is awesome
Oh my god you mentioned Takeshi's Castle, that made my day, thank you!
Based mainly on architecture and condition of preservation, I would have placed Himeji castle in number 1 (is the best samurai castle I think, I hope I can visit it at some time), or at least number 2 after Azuchi Castle, and then put here Matsumoto and Kumamoto, and many others of Shikoku great island.
But, for historical importance, I agree with you. Although I have put Ueda somewhere there too XD It's a shame Ueda no longer has its tenshuukaku, though.
Osaka Castle is indeed important, no castle saw a war so complex and big as Siege of Osaka; and as a Yukimura fan, and having actually visited it, Osaka Castle has a special place in my heart since it was the first Japanese Castle I was at. However, the tenshuukaku was rebuilt oddly, with a lot of inaccuracies, and in the inside it is a modern and incredible museum, yet it doesn't have the feeling of being a samurai castle at all (it has even an elevator and holographic items).
Seeing Gifu Castle (Inabayama Castle) suddenly remember PlayStation 2 game Onimusha Warlords
Basically I agree with most of the castles that you have chosen for your list. I may quibble a bit on the order but that is partially personal preference. The only omission that I see is that the minor fortification of Sunpu Castle not being on list. Sunpu is important for it's close ties to Tokugawa Ieyasu both before and definitely after becoming Shogun. After his retirement as official Shogun in 1605, until his death in 1616, Sunpu was where Ieyasu lived, and ran his shadow government from. Sunpu remained a major administrative center during the entire Tokugawa Shogunate. Therefore, on importance scale I feel it deserves consideration, since most assume that Tokugawa Ieyasu was Japan's greatest Shogun and unifier, and it was at Sunpu that he developed, and spent much of his life. That alone should makes Sunpu an important castle.
Although on pure aesthetics of all Ieyasu's former residences I would have chosen Nijo. Having walked the ruins of Edo, I can only imagine that at the height of it's importance, it must have been amazing.
I love this channel! :D My favourite!
Pike and shot warfare: *destroys a heavy cavalry charge*
European: «oh, I’ve seen this one before, It’s a classic»
Indeed Takeshi's castle has a legacy rivalled by none. Thanks for the top 10. My next trip to japan will be planned on the sites mentioned in this list.
Again absolutely lovely video. You are the best japanese history yt ever👍👍👍👍
I pretty damn spot on list if you ask me. The only ones I would say would be maybe Ichijōdani Castle due to it being really more of a residential place and that was a little ahead of it's time and Odani castle but I just kinda like the Azai clan haha great vid as always.
Todos los castillos presentados en el video acompañados de la historia que cuenta el narrador basada en hechos historicos tienen un valor sagrado gracias
Nijo is beautiful Not sure if I would put it on my list for castles, but it is awesome to see
this helped a lot for the pathfinder campaign i am trying to map for relative time periods.
I think that the Tsuruga castle was also pretty important for the history of japan, as Aizu and the Boshin war is seen as a stepping stone for the start of the Imperial era.
すごく詳しいんですね！日本の城をこんなわかりやすく説明していただきありがとうございます。
Awesome video man! Always love when you post!
Been to both Himeji Castle and Osaka Castle last year ago. They are amazing.
Nagoya Castle should be getting interesting. One of my friends works with the Aichi and Nagoya governments, and was part of the team that worked to get the goten (palace) rebuilt in an authentic manner a while back. They are now in the process of rebuilding the tenshu in an authentic manner as well. It is to be rebuilt as it would have originally been under the Tokugawa (rather than a concrete reproduction that is really just a museum that looks like a castle). Once that is completed, the tenshu and the goten should be accurate representations of how the castle looked inside and out hundreds of years ago.
Agreed! I first visited Nagoya castle in 2012 while I was in town for work and got to see an nice byoubu screen exhibit for an extra 200 yen or something that in the museum. It was the second best display of byoubu screens I had seen with the first one being at the Cleveland musuem of art around 2002 or so. The goten was currently being rebuilt when I was visiting and meandered around the grounds. The second time I was able to visit with a friend was in 2017 and the goten had been rebuilt and it was amazing! The fact that they replicated the interior decorations with photos blew my mind and I absolutely loved the room with the tigers.
I also may have bought a plushie golden dophin shachihoko, which my friend calls the golden ebi as a joke for her. It all started out with a request for a 'golden ebi' by her.
Good list! Watched the video, while taking a break from battling the Chosokabe, as Hattori, in Shogun 2.
Out of curiousity I looked up Kochi Castle in Tosa Province. It was built by Yamauchi Kazutoy.
"Much of the original fortress burned down in 1727; it was reconstructed between 1729 and 1753 in the original style. During the Boshin War, Kōchi escaped any damage, and the castle was also exempted from the post-Meiji restoration orders to destroy all remaining feudal fortifications.The castle also survived World War 2 unscathed, and underwent major restoration from 1948 to 1959. Though no battles were fought at the castle, it is noteworthy because the castle is the original structure, and not a post-war replica. It is also the only castle in Japan to retain both its original tenshu, or keep, and its palace, the residence of the local daimyō. In fact, it is the only castle to have all the original buildings in the honmaru, or innermost ring of defense, still standing."
I find it important in the sense of it surviving unscathed to our time.
I like to add Fushimi Castle for it is where Torii Mototada held Ishida Mitsunari's forces. If he had succeeded on taking the castle as soon as possible, then Tokugawa wouldn't be able to prepare for the Battle at Sekigahara
It was irrelevant. Kobayakawa's betrayal won Sekigahara for the Tokugawa/Eastern Army.
@@loveofmangos001 No its not irelevant. Kobayakawa's betrayal is not a guarantee. The fact Ieyasu resorted to firing his cannons on Kobayakawa's position goes to show that even him knows hes in danger cause of Kobayakawa's strategic position. So he rather eliminate him than to risk being flanked. Besides his betrayal is a bit late as most of Ishida's allies have turned against him during the battle.
This betrayal is juat a bonus imo. If Ieyasu soley rely on the betraying generals and hasnt prepared his army would you think they still betray? Thats why IMO the Battle of Fushimi Castle is underrated.
8:07 Nobunaga's Ambition mentioned ;)
I agree with you on most points in the video, but I think Edo Castle is the best of all time due to its size, defensive capabilities, status and since it is still officially the residence of the head of state. Although I would say Osaka Castle is prettier.
Great video very interesting 👍
Can you discuss the internal structure of castles?
From my visit to Japan twice before covid, I would rank them as follows: 4: Imperial Palace in Tokyo (only the outer walls with no reconstructed Tenshu , 3: Nijo Castle in Kyoto (Has many of the traditional buildings but no Tenshu , 2: Osaka Castle (nice exteriors but the interiors are completely modern as a museum and no traditional structures inside) and then 1: Himeji Castle in Himeji City (Many traditional buildings plus did a 2 hour fb stream and the garden Koko-en). Himeji hands down from my visit as being the best Sengoku Tenshu I have ever been to.
As a Big fan of James Clavells 'Shogun', here is a list of filming locations.
Hikone Castle, Hikone, Shiga Prefecture
(Toranaga's Castle)
Himeji Castle, Himeji, Hyogo
Fushimi Castle, Fushimi District, Kyoto
Hope Azuchi castle is on the list! Anyhow, ready to see what you think.
Visited Osaka Castle last week!
In fact very important place in Osaka castle
Yamazatomaru
Another great video
My favorite castle will be always Azuchi castle...however I will visit Osaka castle when I visit Japan...
What would have been very cool.. is a quick reference on a map of where they are located in Japan... we can look it up yes.. but would have been a great visual reference.
Do a Top 10 Greatest Ninjas list next!
Even though its a modern reconstruction the Osaka castle is gorgeous
Some of my family live near Gifu Castle!
Fun fact not just a list of samurai castles, also 10 places to visit in Japan
Completely agree
"No. 7, Nijo Castle, located in Kyoto . . ." That's what I wanted to know for no. 10 and no. 8.
I Swear, these Castles in Japan would make a Great Place to Defend yourself from a Horde of Zombies in Japan.
Hi, great video. Very interesting
It's a little poor choice not to include Tsuruga-jo in Aizu-Wakamatsu. Especially considered it's siege in the battle of Aizu, in the Boshin War. It held importance as being one of the final strongholds of the Edo Shogunate in 1868.
any more detailed castle videos
Honestly you hit all the castles I want to visit or at least their sites but there is one and it's to respect the man. Odani castle, I wish to respect nagamasa azai as he did face one of the hardest choices. To support his wife's family and betray a long alliance or keep that long alliance and fight his wife's husband.
The choice is going to depend on your criteria. Your list is based on the historical significance of the castles. That's one view. If I'm recommending castles for people to visit, I'd recommend ones which have been maintained in their original form, like Himeji, Matsuyama, Matsue and Matsue, or are great examples of reconstruction like Kanazawa, where you can learn about the construction methods.
Totally gree w Osaka . Juz visited It last yr. was kinda hoping the ashikaga kinkakuji castle.
I have visited 11 castles in Japan. I can say okayama castle is beautiful as well hiroshima castle.
i would put both matsumoto castle and matsuyuma jo castle in to somewhere like 4th and 5th
Would've expected Kamakura but either way awesome video
I would have added Crow Castle in Okayama to the list...
Looking at the hairstyles in these illustrations (and in various taiga dramas / chambara) I noticed that samurai would often wear their hair down under helmets (sometimes with a headband), or just have it in a low ponytail instrad of the usual iconic style, was this typical? Also, on an unrelated note, you have a really nice voice :D
Takeshi castle best castle
In 14:50 you’re wrong when you claim that you can still see the foundations of the OLD tenshukaku (keep) of Edo Castle.
The Ishigaki foundation you showed is the 4th Ishigaki foundation. However, there was never any tenshukaku keep donjon built on top of it, as the Shogunate decided that Edo was not in danger of any invasion, and forewent the cost of building a 4th tenshukaku keep donjon.
The previous (3rd) Ishigaki foundation, which housed the 3rd tenshukaku keep donjon was actually in a different part of the castle, much more to the west of the current (4th) Ishigaki. You won’t be able to see the Ishigaki foundation of the OLD tenshukaku keep donjon as it buried.
Talk about Ashigaru next.
the house i was born in has a view of gifu castle
The Sequel! The Shogun delivers, deep tofugu bow
Kumamoto easily could be in the collection, maybe instead of gassan toda. you forgot say spoilers alert so many time specially for Yukimura.
@The Shogunate I wonder if you've tried Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun yet? I'd love to see what you think of it.
I would also have added Kawagoe castle where the Hojo defeated the Uesugi.
It's slightly redundant, because you already have Osaka Castle on the list, and it's not technically a castle from an architectural standpoint, but I'd have to say Ishiyama Hongan-ji. It withstood a siege from the most powerful warlord in Japan for over a decade.
Me here just trying to learn Japanese architecture for a Minecraft world
Look up the Yakushi-ji Toto pagoda. One of my bucket list builds is to recreate it in a Minecraft snow biome but it’s really tricky to get the proportions right.
Okazaki castle is in top if my list
And the magnificent Matsumoto castle?
Did you skip , which appeared over night and scared Odawara's defenders into giving up!
Is that some way of the samurai 3 music in the background in some parts?
My favorite will ALWAYS be Kiyosu Castle in Nagoya
...even though Nagoya Castle isn't far away
I see you're also a person of culture... and an Oda Nobunaga fan
The Nagashino defenders must have had a good laugh at beating a much larger force.
Aizuwakamatsu Castle, look up Battle of Aizu 1868
Osaka Castle witnessed the end of an era as the House of Tokugawa tore it apart in an effort to put the House of Toyotomi out of business for good
This is super cool. ive seen a few of these castles when i went to visit family. #10 castle looks like the one my families ancestors lived in, i forgot its name, but it was torn down during the meji era, and its atop a mountain/ or large hill sitting between 2 rivers. Osaka castle i got to visit , the sky scraper to its left in the photo i ate some fancy steak with the elders of the family. the himeji castle was very cool, and has huge selection of bugs, and butterflys on display inside. i didnt see it here, but there was this one castle i got to visit was up in the mountains, and it was kept supported hundreds of feet in the air, in between the trees, this might have been a shrine though, but each of these places are super cool, thanks for the vid, this was a blast from the past.
I've found it hard to remember which castle is which.
(Over time and learning the history (stories / Taiga Dramas) I am getting better.)
I had the same problem with Prefectures, Clans and Famous characters (armor).
Google Images
Clans (Mon) obviously
Famous characters (NHK Taiga Drama information (family trees) helped a little.
Famous Armor (Miniature armor collections)
Prefectures (Mascots Yuru Chara) maps
Tokyo (Yamanote Line) train stations
Could (be) have been easier though...
So much happened at Osaka. And Osaka possibly have best takoyaki!
Nice episode but I think at this rate it ll take you 5 more years to reach the siege of Osaka castle if you include the imjin war
Yeah.. I'm just trying to spread myself out a bit more because the Sengoku Jidai episodes really take it out of me with the amount of work they require.
And we do we always say here at MXC????
Haaaaah, YEAH!! Takeshi!!
Well Takeshi's castle has seen many battles.
If only Japan was on the Allied side during WW2, no castles would be destroyed no Honjo Masamune would be lost.
That is had they not messed with Pearl in the first place, had the naval victors of WW1 (Japan being one of the minor ally of the entente) been not too restrictive of capital ship building
Liked and shared.
To my mind, the greatest legacy of Daimyo/Empire pride was the citadel on IJN Yamato. No cannon, no weapon, other than statecraft, available to the forces of either shogunate or Meiji empire could penetrate its pristine perfection. Air conditioning, hot and cold running water, refrigeration, magical senses (i.e.: RaDAR), and a 3000 man cadre of fanatical followers.
Unlike those lesser works, those land bound imitators, the Yamato could serenely sail through tyfun, fast as most birds, but ever west, so that the guidon of Japan might always be the rising sun.
No Matsumoto Castle!!?
Reason of Edo castle wasn’t rebuilt after the great city wide fire was Edo government chose to spend money on rebuilding the Edo city instead of castle rebuilding. Money was scarce and there was no war to worry about, money well spent.
why doesn't japan still build modern samurai castles ?
6/10 ain't bad and I'm not really a castle guy.
I've been to:
Nijou, Gifu, Himeji, the Azuchi-Themepark and Osaka Castle.
I'd personally put Kagoshima Castle somewhere in the list, as in the Battle of Shiroyama the Period of the Samurai ended definitely, but I'm unsure which one to throw out, maybe Himeji, but I've been there and it's definitely the most important today, so maybe Gassan Toda, but only because I dont know much about it so maybe there's something important about it that I dont know, or maybe Hiroshima castle
What’s up with that hat 🤔🧐😏 2:45
Where,s Ueda catle?
And i Love your channel you are great
Ueda nearly made the list!
remember Japanese Castles are ancient buildings. in the future 25th century year 2420. the tenshu doesn't exist at all. it will be in ruins and never rebuilt. the Japanese Castles are extremely darn old it is. the Samurai Castles were from the different periods of time. you all can see the histories.
I was expecting Ueda, Numata, Nagurumi castles😔
Why not restore the Edo tenshu?
Difficult to restore Edo tenshu because of the Emperor's residence.
@@canberrabob8064 The remaining foundation is outside the modern palace territory.
@@nts821 Some argue that it is not a good idea to build a castle so high that it overlooks the emperor's residence nearby.
I really don't get the point of rebuilding an entire castle. What is the value? Just because it looks like the old one doesn't make it the same. If a city decides to build one today, would anyone care? That's pretty much the same.
No Inuyama Castle, not even honorable mention?
First I think?
Maybe