12 February 2009

Kumamoto Castle

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Kumamoto Castle (熊本城) is a Japanese castle located in Kumamoto city. While originally built in 15th Century, it was burned down after a certain bloody rebellion in late 18th Century. Reconstruction begun in 1960, and a public ceremony for it was held last year.

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These curved stone walls are known as musha-gaeshi (武者がえし), and are designed to make penetrations really difficult for the attackers.

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The side view of the castle with the signature stone walls. Topped with the wooden overhangs, it must have been difficult to penetrate the castle indeed.

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Une no Ma, or Room of the Une

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I'm not sure what this area is (as I wasn't there personally), but it looks like some sort of a sand garden to me.

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A room in the castle. The arts on the doors and walls are truly magnificent

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The inner room as seen in the photo above. Boy this room looks kinda bling somehow o_o. The sign in the foreground saids "no flash allowed".

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Various paintings of birds on wooden doors.

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Model of the castle

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Yep even castles have mascots. It looks like that there's bound to be a mascot for most things in Japan. ADDED: My sister told me that wherever one sees this mascot it indicates a good photo spot~

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Food Drink of the day: Canned soup served from vending machines

This ends the second post of my sister's December trip. The Kumamoto Castle is definitely worth a visit when you have the chance to go to Kumamoto. The grand size and magnificent interior are surely breathtaking to appreciate, especially when one is able to experience it there!

3 comments:

  1. wow interesting. castles always intrigues me. will love to visit one one day. ^^;

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  2. I think my fiance has a picture taken right in that area! Small world huh?

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  3. @ gordon droid hunter:
    Me too. I've only been to one in Edinburgh a long time ago, but was too little to remember a thing from it anymore >_<

    @ Apt-1B:
    She's been to Kumamoto too? What a small world indeed~

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