Changes

The Kato were ousted from Kumamoto by the [[Tokugawa]] Shogunate in [[1632]] when Kiyomasa’s son Tadahiro fell into disfavor and was exiled to northern Honshu. The castle was given to [[Hosokawa Tadaoki]], who passed it on to his son Tadatoshi. The Hosokawa remained in charge of the castle through the [[Meiji Restoration]], and was spared from destruction as the new government planned to use it as an army camp. The castle was put to the test during the [[Satsuma Rebellion]] in [[1877]]. [[Saigo Takamori]], who had resigned his position as commander of the Imperial Guard in [[Tokyo]] in [[1873]] when his plan to invade Korea was rejected by the Emperor, led a group of discontented former samurai who now found themselves on the outside looking in. Saigo had difficulty in controlling his followers, and to appease them agreed to lead them to Tokyo once again to restate their demands. He was declared a rebel on February 20, 1877 and his march to Tokyo found itself stopped cold when he and his 15,000 man army attempted to oust the Imperial garrison in Kumamoto castle on February 22. For 52 days Saigo’s army laid siege to the castle. While they were able to destroy many of the castle’s buildings (such as the two main tenshu), they were unable to take the castle. Government troops managed to convince the local residents to remain loyal to the Emperor and not render aid to Saigo, and on April 15 the siege was lifted. Saigo’s army retreated to [[Kagoshima]] and was eventually eliminated by Imperial troops. Ironically, the castle built by one of the more famous samurai commanders was used by the government to defeat the last of the samurai.

The Kato were ousted from Kumamoto by the [[Tokugawa]] Shogunate in [[1632]] when Kiyomasa’s son Tadahiro fell into disfavor and was exiled to northern Honshu. The castle was given to [[Hosokawa Tadaoki]], who passed it on to his son Tadatoshi. The Hosokawa remained in charge of the castle through the [[Meiji Restoration]], and was spared from destruction as the new government planned to use it as an army camp. The castle was put to the test during the [[Satsuma Rebellion]] in [[1877]]. [[Saigo Takamori]], who had resigned his position as commander of the Imperial Guard in [[Tokyo]] in [[1873]] when his plan to invade Korea was rejected by the Emperor, led a group of discontented former samurai who now found themselves on the outside looking in. Saigo had difficulty in controlling his followers, and to appease them agreed to lead them to Tokyo once again to restate their demands. He was declared a rebel on February 20, 1877 and his march to Tokyo found itself stopped cold when he and his 15,000 man army attempted to oust the Imperial garrison in Kumamoto castle on February 22. For 52 days Saigo’s army laid siege to the castle. While they were able to destroy many of the castle’s buildings (such as the two main tenshu), they were unable to take the castle. Government troops managed to convince the local residents to remain loyal to the Emperor and not render aid to Saigo, and on April 15 the siege was lifted. Saigo’s army retreated to [[Kagoshima]] and was eventually eliminated by Imperial troops. Ironically, the castle built by one of the more famous samurai commanders was used by the government to defeat the last of the samurai.

The castle continued to be used as a garrison for many years. In 1960, a concrete replica of the two destroyed tenshu was built. Since the original walls would not hold their weight (about 6500 tons), the new structures were built on 6 ½ foot piles driven 144 feet into the ground (eight piles for the main tenshu, four for the secondary). The pilings suspend the castle about a foot above the walls, giving the impression of the castle floating above them. The original castle well still exists within the base, as does a set of steps that at one time led to the first floor. In addition, ten towers (including the Udo Yagura), a gateway, and a parapet survive from the original structure. The most important of the surviving structures is the Udo Yagura, the so-called ‘third tenshu’. It has three outside stories (with five inner levels and a basement). The roofs are uncommon as they follow straight lines, rather than being curved as in most other castles (including the rebuilt Kumamoto first and second tenshu). The railing around the top balcony here is painted in red lacquer. The timbers inside the structure pre-date Kiyomasa’s construction and were probably part of the earlier structure from the 16th century (there is speculation that they had been part of [[Udo castle]], but there is no hard evidence to that effect). The rest of the surviving buildings are from the late [[Edo period]].

The castle continued to be used as a garrison for many years. In 1960, a concrete replica of the two destroyed tenshu was built. Since the original walls would not hold their weight (about 6500 tons), the new structures were built on 6 ½ foot piles driven 144 feet into the ground (eight piles for the main tenshu, four for the secondary). The pilings suspend the castle about a foot above the walls, giving the impression of the castle floating above them. The original castle well still exists within the base, as does a set of steps that at one time led to the first floor. In addition, ten towers (including the Udo Yagura), a gateway, and a parapet survive from the original structure. The most important of the surviving structures is the Udo Yagura, the so-called ‘third tenshu’. It has three outside stories (with five inner levels and a basement). The roofs are uncommon as they follow straight lines, rather than being curved as in most other castles (including the rebuilt Kumamoto first and second tenshu). The railing around the top balcony here is painted in red lacquer. The timbers inside the structure pre-date Kiyomasa’s construction and were probably part of the earlier structure from the 16th century (there is speculation that they had been part of [[Udo castle]], but there is no hard evidence to that effect). The rest of the surviving buildings are from the late [[Edo period]]. Many reconstructed buildings have been added in recent years as the castle prepares for the 400th anniversary in 2007. The inner daimyo's palace is scheduled to be completed for the celebration.

Kumamoto is one of the most popular castles for location shooting in Japan. It can be seen in Aka Kage (Red Shadow), Kagemusha, Ran, and many other samurai films.

Kumamoto is one of the most popular castles for location shooting in Japan. It can be seen in Aka Kage (Red Shadow), Kagemusha, Ran, and many other samurai films.

[[Category:Castles]]

[[Category:Castles]]