Akō Castle

Akō Castle 赤穂城
Akashi, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan
Type	Japanese castle
Site information
Condition	Ruins, though a few buildings have been reconstructed
Site history
Built	Circa 1615
Built by	Asano Naganao
In use	1615 to the Meiji Restoration
Materials	Earth, stone, and wood
Demolished	Meiji Restoration

Honmaru Garden

Akō Castle (赤穂城 Akō-jō) is a flatland castle located in Akō, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan. The castle is a nationally designated Historic Site and its gardens a Place of Scenic Beauty.^[1][2]

History

Construction of Akō Castle took 13 years to complete the 12 gates and 10 yagura, or towers. The castle was built on the seashore, and at the time of its construction, one could set sail from docks located in the castle. The construction was done under the surveillance of Asano Naganao, who became lord of the region in 1615. During the Meiji Restoration, Akō Castle was partly dismantled, along with many other castles. However, several buildings have since been re-constructed, following the end of the Second World War.^[3]

This Akō castle should not to be confused with an earlier fortification located to the north.

References

1. "赤穂城跡". Agency for Cultural Affairs. Retrieved 10 February 2012.
2. "旧赤穂城庭園 本丸庭園 二之丸庭園". Agency for Cultural Affairs. Retrieved 10 February 2012.
3. Hyogo International Tourism Guide: Castles and Castle Towns

Literature

• Schmorleitz, Morton S. (1974). Castles in Japan. Tokyo: Charles E. Tuttle Co. ISBN 0-8048-1102-4.

External links

Media related to Akō Castle at Wikimedia Commons
Google (16 July 2013). "Akō Castle on Google maps" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 16 July 2013. Coordinates: 34°44′44″N 134°23′20″E / 34.745669°N 134.388983°E