Marugame Castle

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1. 1Orientation

   Welcome to Marugame Castle, a site that stands as a profound testament to the military engineering and aesthetic sensibilities of the early Edo period. As you stand here in Kagawa Prefecture on Shikoku Island, you are looking at…

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2. 2Ote Ichino-mon — The Gateway of Dignity

   We stand now before the Ote Ichino-mon, the first of the great main gates. In the grammar of Japanese castle architecture, the gateway was designed to perform two roles: to project the overwhelming power of the daimyo and to…

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3. 3Mikaeri-zaka — The Slope of Reflection

   Ascending from the main gate, we encounter Mikaeri-zaka, or the 'Look-back Slope.' This path is deceptively steep, much more so than it appears from a distance. The name itself suggests that the incline is so demanding that…

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4. 4Sannomaru — The Third Bail and the Fan Curve

   We have now reached the Sannomaru, the third bail or outer defense ward of the castle. This open space was historically filled with wooden barracks and storage facilities, but today it offers the best vantage point to appreciate…

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5. 5Ninomaru — The Guardian of the Inner Keep

   Continuing our ascent, we move into the Ninomaru, or the second bail. This area acted as the final buffer zone before the Homaru, the heart of the fortress. …

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6. 6The Tenshu — The Smallest of the Twelve

   Finally, we reach the Homaru and its crowning jewel, the Tenshu or castle tower. Completed in 1660, this tower is a 'three-storied, three-roofed' structure. …

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7. 7Nakatu Bansho-en — The Lord's Retreat

   As we descend the backside of the castle, we must visit the Nakatu Bansho-en, a sprawling Japanese garden that served as the villa for the Kyogoku lords. While the castle was a symbol of military might, this garden was a…

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8. 8The Back Gate and Hidden Stone Walls

   To conclude our tour, we exit through the Kaimon, or the backside gate, which leads toward the residential areas of the old castle town. This route allows us to view the stone walls from a different perspective, revealing layers…

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9. 9Closing

   As we conclude our exploration of Marugame Castle, we are left with a profound appreciation for the dual nature of Japanese feudal architecture: its terrifying military efficiency and its sublime aesthetic grace. We have…

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