Changes

*''Japanese:''丸岡城''(Maruoka-jou)''

*''Japanese:''丸岡城''(Maruoka-jou)''

Also known as Kasumi Ga Jo (Mist Castle, so named for the legend that when it is threatened it becomes obscured by mist), Maruoka castle is located in Maruoka Town in modern day Fukui prefecture (the historical [[Echizen province]]) on the Sea Of Japan coastline. Construction was begun on the castle in [[1575]] by [[Shibata Katsutoyo]]. Over the next three centuries the castle was to see 17 lords and many different clans, including the [[Yasui]], [[Aoyama]] ([[Aoyama Shurinsuke]]), [[Imamura]], [[Honda]] ([[Honda Narishige]]), and [[Arima]] ([[Arima Kiyosumi]]). While little of historical import occurred at the castle, it is notable for having the oldest tenshu in Japan (built in [[1576]]).

Also known as ''Kasumi-ga-jô'' (Mist Castle, so named for the legend that when it is threatened it becomes obscured by mist), Maruoka castle is located in Maruoka town in modern day Fukui prefecture (the historical [[Echizen province]]) on the [[Sea Of Japan]] coast. Construction was begun on the castle in [[1575]] by [[Shibata Katsutoyo]], who had been ordered by his uncle, [[Shibata Katsuie]], to establish himself at Toyohara castle, but who rebelled at the difficulties of constructing a ''yamashiro'' (mountain castle).

Maruoka is a [[hirayamajiro]] built on a 33 meter high hill which housed the [[honmaru]]. The [[ishigaki]] were built of rough hewn stones. It was encircled by a pentagonal moat system that was as wide as 11 meters. The moat served to divide the castle grounds into three more compounds that were arranged around the honmaru. The tenshu has two exterior and three interior stories and the unusual feature of having a banistered corridor surrounding the second exterior story just above the first story. Instead of using standard terracotta roof tiling, the tiles here were made of stone in order to stand up the colder winter temperatures in this part of Japan. The superstructure of the castle was reinforced to withstand the additional weight. It is a good example of the earlier attempts at castle building, being basically a one story structure with an additional belvedere set into the roof.

 

Today, only the tenshu and its stone walls remain. The castle was heavily damaged by an earthquake in 1948. As many of the original materials were salvaged as possible and restoration of the tenshu completed in 1955.  

 

Over the next three centuries the castle was to see 17 lords and many different clans, including the [[Yasui clan|Yasui]], [[Aoyama clan|Aoyama]] ([[Aoyama Shurinsuke]]), [[Imamura clan|Imamura]], [[Honda clan|Honda]] ([[Honda Narishige]]), and [[Arima clan|Arima]] ([[Arima Kiyosumi]]). While little of historical import occurred at the castle, it is notable for having the oldest ''tenshu'' still extant in Japan (built in [[1576]]).

 

Maruoka is a ''[[hirayamajiro]]'' built on a 33-meter high hill which housed the ''[[honmaru]]''. The ''[[ishigaki]]'' were built of rough-hewn stones. It was encircled by a pentagonal moat system that was as wide as 11 meters. The moat served to divide the castle grounds into three more compounds that were arranged around the ''honmaru''. The ''tenshu'' has two exterior and three interior stories and the unusual feature of having a banistered corridor surrounding the second exterior story just above the first story. Instead of using standard terracotta roof tiling, the tiles here were made of stone in order to stand up to the colder winter temperatures in this part of Japan. The superstructure of the castle was reinforced to withstand the additional weight. It is a good example of the earlier attempts at castle building, being basically a one-story structure with an additional belvedere set into the roof.

 

Today, only the ''tenshu'' and its stone walls remain. The castle was heavily damaged by an earthquake in 1948. As many of the original materials were salvaged as possible and restoration of the ''tenshu'' was completed in 1955.  

==References==

==References==

*Kodama Kota & Tsuboi Kiyotari, editors ''Nihon Joukaku Taikei''-20 Volumes Tokyo:Shinjimbutsu oraisha, 1981

*Kodama Kota & Tsuboi Kiyotari, editors ''Nihon Joukaku Taikei''-20 Volumes Tokyo:Shinjimbutsu oraisha, 1981

*Hinago Motoo ''Nihon No Bijutsu #54:Shiro'' Tokyo:Shibundo, 1970

*Hinago Motoo ''Nihon No Bijutsu #54:Shiro'' Tokyo:Shibundo, 1970

*Schmorleitz, Morton S ''Castles In Japan'' Tokyo:Charles E Tuttle Company Inc, 1974

*Schmorleitz, Morton S ''Castles In Japan'' Tokyo:Charles E Tuttle Company Inc, 1974

[[Category:Castles]]

[[Category:Castles]]