Changes

The stone walls of the castle were repaired and restored in [[1765]], though the structures standing today which compose the Ishikawa-mon date to 1788. The Ishikawa-mon is a ''masu-gata'' (枡形) or "square gate," composed in fact of two gates through which a visitor or invader must pass. Upon entering the triple-roofed Kôrai-mon (高麗門), one must turn ninety degrees to pass through the two-story Yagura-mon (櫓門) boxing a small courtyard. Guards stationed atop the walls of the gatehouse and in a two-story watchtower overlooked and defended this courtyard, the bridge, and beyond.

The stone walls of the castle were repaired and restored in [[1765]], though the structures standing today which compose the Ishikawa-mon date to 1788. The Ishikawa-mon is a ''masu-gata'' (枡形) or "square gate," composed in fact of two gates through which a visitor or invader must pass. Upon entering the triple-roofed Kôrai-mon (高麗門), one must turn ninety degrees to pass through the two-story Yagura-mon (櫓門) boxing a small courtyard. Guards stationed atop the walls of the gatehouse and in a two-story watchtower overlooked and defended this courtyard, the bridge, and beyond.

Like most structures in the compound, the Ishikawa-mon features lead tile roofs and ''namako'' plastered walls, for protection from fire. The distinctive so-called ''namako kabe'' or "sea cucumber walls" of Kanazawa castle are made from plaster walls inlaid with a great many square slate bricks, forming a sort of grid pattern and offering better protection from the heavy snowfalls typical in the region. The walls were further propped up from the back by wooden struts known as ''hikae-bei'' (控塀). A plank could be laid across these in a siege, allowing defenders a higher position from which to attack over the wall.

Like most structures in the compound, the Ishikawa-mon features lead tile roofs and ''namako'' plastered walls, for protection from fire. These structures feature the famous Kutani lead tiling from the region. These were designed to be melted down for bullets in the event of a siege against the castle. The Ishikawa-mon protected the rear entrance to Kanazawa and has a triple-roofed Korai-mon and a two story Yagura-mon boxing the courtyard. The distinctive so-called ''namako kabe'' or "sea cucumber walls" of Kanazawa castle are made from plaster walls inlaid with a great many square slate bricks, forming a sort of grid pattern and offering better protection from the heavy snowfalls typical in the region. The walls were further propped up from the back by wooden struts known as ''hikae-bei'' (控塀). A plank could be laid across these in a siege, allowing defenders a higher position from which to attack over the wall.

The Ishikawa-mon grants access to the ''shinmaru'' ("new bailey") and ''san-no-maru'' (third bailey), which once held retainers' mansions, an arquebus armory, and various workshops and artisan studios. The ''gojukken-nagaya'' ("Fifty Bays Long Armory") separates this space from the more central, and more important, ''ni-no-maru'' (second bailey).

The Ishikawa-mon grants access to the ''shinmaru'' ("new bailey") and ''san-no-maru'' (third bailey), which once held retainers' mansions, an arquebus armory, and various workshops and artisan studios. The ''gojukken-nagaya'' ("Fifty Bays Long Armory") separates this space from the more central, and more important, ''ni-no-maru'' (second bailey).